Sandra Goudie MP National Party Senior Citizens Spokeswoman
17 May 2006
Minister ducks for cover on elder abuse
National Party Senior Citizens spokeswoman Sandra Goudie says she is appalled that the Government is siding with the
nurses' union over the publication of photos depicting elderly rest home residents in their most private moments.
"In Parliament today, the Minister said it was an issue of consent. She is wrong.
"This is about more than just consent. This is a question of good taste and ethics. This is a question of respect and it
is a question of decency.
"To use these photographs in support of a pay claim is nothing short of abhorrent.
"This has been swirling around in the news for three days now. It took a question in Parliament to get any response from
the Government at all.
"Does the Minister not see hypocrisy in the way that Labour condemned newspaper editors for publishing Danish cartoons,
yet has remained silent on an issue far closer to home, involving vulnerable older New Zealanders?"
"It's hard not to reach the conclusion that this is more about protecting Labour's relationship with the nurses' union
than it is about protecting the interests of our elderly rest home residents.
"Labour should be ashamed," says Ms Goudie.
ENDS