Goff Goofs - Labour Gets it Wrong Again
Dr. Jackie Blue is speaking out against Phil Goff's misrepresentation of the Labour government's health funding. Her
recent visit to the Mt. Roskill Union and Community Health Centre uncovered a myriad of problems created by Labour
policy. These have included staff shortages, under-funding and a lack of support for refugees.
Phil Goff has chosen not only to ignore these problems but also to whitewash the issues in order to promote Labour's
misguided approach to healthcare in this country. On August 3rd in the Central Leader, and again in his Mt. Roskill
Report (Winter 2005), Mr. Goff described the centre as being well-funded and an example of Labour success. In reality,
any success is due to the hard work of the staff who have had to overcome the many obstacles placed before them by
Labour's policies.
Staff told Dr. Blue that the centre was underfunded and understaffed. Currently, the centre should be employing three
full-time doctors. However, the centre is struggling to get even two physicians.
The health centre serves thirty two ethnicities and 60% of its patients are refugees. Despite this, what little
government funding is given, is disproportionately directed at other groups. Dr. Blue noted, "Labour are allowing in
1300 refugees a year, but is doing very little to help these people. Mr Goff has had twenty years of headline grabbing
in Mt Roskill but has nothing to show for it".
ENDS