Rt Hon Winston Peters
New Zealand First Leader
Member of Parliament for Northland
1 OCTOBER 2015
Memory fade hinders minister of senior citizens
Poor memory has hit Minister for Senior Citizens Maggie Barry as she “celebrates” the International Day of Older
Persons, says New Zealand First.
“The Minister rushed into print saying she’s all for building links in towns and cities so older people stay socially
connected,” says New Zealand First Leader and Member of Parliament for Northland Rt Hon Winston Peters.
“But just months ago her government put a cap on spending for the SuperGold Card travel concession, putting a question
mark over its expansion and its future.
“National also poured scorn on three free GP checks for Seniors and voted against the New Zealand First Bill that would
have delivered a fiscally wise system by keeping people out of hospitals.
“The Minister says she promotes age friendly communities which involve older people making decisions on transport and
health facilities but when put to the test in a parliamentary vote her government keeps obstructing any sound
improvements for the welfare and health of older people.
“Against their voting record the Minister’s comments are all psychopathy.
“Giving off-peak travel to Seniors ensures they get out and about, and have social contact with others. They should be
able to occupy otherwise empty off-peak seats.
“Instead of talking nonsense on an international day the Minister should be advocating for Seniors in Cabinet, and she
is clearly not doing this.”
ENDS