MEDIA STATEMENT FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE,
THURSDAY 1 NOVEMBER 2001

“MP Should Stand Down From Select Committee Inquiry”

“MP Philidda Bunkle should stand down from the Health Select Committee inquiry into the issues relevant to Dr Parry,” said Mr Ian Powell, Executive Director of the Association of Salaried Medical Specialists, today.

“Ms Bunkle has prepared her own submission to the Select Committee that makes serious accusations about Dr Parry. Then she will also sit on the same committee that will consider this and other submissions. It is like the prosecutor also being a judge in the same trial.”

“This unfair process completely destroys the credibility of the Select Committee’s work. It reinforces the view among many doctors that the inquiry is being used for political opportunism and to encourage a negative culture of blame in the health system.”

“Ms Bunkle has a proud record as a passionate campaigner for women’s health, patient rights and the right of New Zealanders to a high quality accessible public health service. She was one of the strongest and most effective critics of the failed market experiment of the 1990s in the health system.”

“But this is simply over the top and totally unfair. She should stand down along with any other MP who has already declared Dr Parry guilty of unproven accusations,” concluded Mr Powell.

Ian Powell

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

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