Fri Oct 29 1999
Jim Anderton released the Alliance Contract with Senior Citizens today saying all other major parties had betrayed
senior citizens and the betrayal had to stop.
'Policies such as the superannuation surcharge, asset stripping of long-stay geriatric patients, user-pays health
charges, GST and market rental for state housing have been imposed without mandate and against the best interests of the
country in general and the elderly in particular,' Jim Anderton said.
'The contract is an 11 point plan that is designed to improve the lives of senior citizens.
* Increase superannuation by $20 a week and link it to between 67% and 72.5% of the average wage.
* Abolish GST and replace it with an FTT.
* Remove prescription charges and reintroduce free doctors visits.
* Set rents for state housing at a maximum of 25% of income.
* Abolish asset an income testing of long stay elderly people in public and private hospitals.
* Provide supported housing options for people with dementia.
* Re-establish long stay geriatric beds in local hospitals where there is a need.
* Reduce hospital waiting lists.
* Establish a kiwi owned bank with local branches accessable to the elderly.
* End state asset sales and ensure foreign investment that is in New Zealand's best interests promoted.
* Lift the debt burden from grand children by re-establishing a free education system.
'The betrayal has to stop. Like other New Zealanders, senior citizens are entitled to know before they vote what
policies parties will honour after the election,' Jim Anderton said.
Visit http://www.alliance.org.nz for more information about the Alliance
Jim Anderton released the Alliance Contract with Senior Citizens today saying all other major parties had betrayed
senior citizens and the betrayal had to stop.
'Policies such as the superannuation surcharge, asset stripping of long-stay geriatric patients, user-pays health
charges, GST and market rental for state housing have been imposed without mandate and against the best interests of the
country in general and the elderly in particular,' Jim Anderton said.
'The contract is an 11 point plan that is designed to improve the lives of senior citizens.
* Increase superannuation by $20 a week and link it to between 67% and 72.5% of the average wage.
* Abolish GST and replace it with an FTT.
* Remove prescription charges and reintroduce free doctors visits.
* Set rents for state housing at a maximum of 25% of income.
* Abolish asset an income testing of long stay elderly people in public and private hospitals.
* Provide supported housing options for people with dementia.
* Re-establish long stay geriatric beds in local hospitals where there is a need.
* Reduce hospital waiting lists.
* Establish a kiwi owned bank with local branches accessable to the elderly.
* End state asset sales and ensure foreign investment that is in New Zealand's best interests promoted.
* Lift the debt burden from grand children by re-establishing a free education system.
'The betrayal has to stop. Like other New Zealanders, senior citizens are entitled to know before they vote what
policies parties will honour after the election,' Jim Anderton said.
ENDS