Year of the Veteran disappoints
National Party Veterans’ Affairs spokeswoman Judith Collins says Rick Barker should “temper his crowing” about the so
called success of the Year of the Veteran.
“This is a year in which Labour’s hypocrisy was laid bare. After initially dismissing the concerns of veterans affected
by Agent Orange the Prime Minister was forced into an embarrassing U-turn.
“But to rub salt into the wounds, her Government then delivered a cynical package that veterans now say falls well
short.
“Veterans believe that package was classic Labour spin over substance. They estimate the $30 million compensation
package actually works out to be worth $12 million. They say they’ve been short changed.
“2006 was also the year in which Labour again refused to recognise the heroic efforts of Nancy Wake, even though she’s
been given the RSA’s top award and received honours in other countries.
“And it was another year that veteran homes and hospitals, like Montecillo in Dunedin, have had to struggle through with
shrinking Government generosity.
“There is a vast amount of work left to be done in the area of veterans’ affairs.”
Ms Collins says Veterans Affairs, which is the subject of a ‘review’, must stop dragging its heels and adopt the
recommendations from the health select committee into Agent Orange.
“To date almost nothing has been done. The Ministry can’t even tell us how many veterans are affected by Agent Orange.”
Ms Collins says Mr Barker should remind his colleagues that ‘doing the right thing’ for those who have served their
country in conflict involves more than photo opportunities and memorial unveilings.
“Of course it’s important to remember the fallen, but we must not forget the living either.”
Ends