Judith Collins MP
National Party Welfare Spokeswoman
11 September 2008
Heartless Dyson strikes again
National's Welfare spokeswoman Judith Collins says Ruth Dyson should be ashamed of herself for attempting to downplay
the distress and heartbreak suffered by a Nelson woman whose husband died of cancer.
She is referring to the case of the late Richard Burr who petitioned Parliament with other cancer sufferers before he
died, for better treatment from Work and Income.
"Mr Burr's widow detailed to the Social Services Committee the terrible way she and her husband were treated by Work and
Income. She spoke of the ongoing bureaucratic battles they had with the department and how her terminally ill husband
was summoned out of his hospital bed by Work and Income staff to attend an appointment.
"Incredibly, Ruth Dyson told Parliament this afternoon that she accepts Mrs Burr's 'perception' of events, but she
disputed the facts.
"Ruth Dyson should hang her head in shame. She should also reacquaint herself with the findings of the Social Services
Committee. The committee has expressed concern over the way Mr Burr and his family were treated, noting that Work and
Income were 'insensitive to their situation...displayed a lack of empathy...were poor communicators...and gave
inconsistent advice'.
"The Committee also acknowledged Mr Burr's treatment was not an isolated case and that committee members have been
presented with evidence of numerous similar situations."
Ms Collins says she's not surprised at Ruth Dyson's callous attitude.
"This is the Minister who, after all, said it 'was not bad news at all, actually' when the country recorded the largest
quarterly decline in employment in a decade.
"The least Ruth Dyson could do is apologise to Mr Burr's widow, commit to urgently acting on the recommendations of the
Social Services Committee, and ensure terminally unwell beneficiaries are treated with dignity and respect."
ENDS