Health Crisis Public Meeting
On Monday, I am co-hosting a public meeting on New Zealand’s health crisis with Dr Jonathan Coleman, MP for Northcote
and National’s Associate Health Spokesman. Our guest speaker is Hon Tony Ryall, National’s Health Spokesman. He will be
there to discuss the issues, and to answer your questions.
North Shore Hospital
All of the symptoms of New Zealand’s health crisis are evident in our local hospital, and the DHB. The current crisis
was perfectly predictable. The population has been growing at expected rates. Medical technology moves ahead at expected
rates. So why wasn’t the planning done?
If everything had been properly planned we would not be seeing the crisis now, a crisis which is so bad that the Health
and Disability Commissioner has launched an Inquiry into the Hospital. Dr Coleman and I have received numerous
complaints about the quality of care received at North Shore Hospital.
Doctors’ strike
If the planned junior doctors’ strike goes ahead, it will hit our area hard. People will miss out on their operations,
they won’t be able to see their specialists, they will be bumped back onto the waiting list, and then bumped off in the
next waiting list cull.
After all this time in office, it’s time Labour took responsibility for its actions. The government’s failure to plan
has led directly to these problems.
WHEN: 7:30pm, Monday 21 April
WHERE: North Harbour Netball Centre, Northcote Road
For more information, or to RSVP, please contact the Electorate Office, 486 0005.
THE ECONOMY IS THE KEY
Over the last six months, more and more people have become anxious about the economic outlook. Hundreds of millions of
dollars have been lost in finance company collapses. Homeowners are paying around 10% on mortgages. Petrol is now $2.00
per litre, and the weekly food basket is costing a lot more. Consumer and business confidence is at record low levels.
So it was not surprising to hear of yesterday’s job losses; in Fisher and Paykel, ANZ and Tamahine Knitwear.
The economy is now the leading election issue; how some of the short term problems can be alleviated, and how growth can
be boosted for the medium and long term. This will require more than tax cuts, necessary as they are.
Holding government spending
Holding and reducing interest rates will require getting a grip on government spending. With the government, central and
local, taking more than 40% of the economy, it is not surprising our productivity rates are so low, and our interest
rates so high.
Falling growth under Labour
Growth has been falling throughout Labour’s terms in government, even though New Zealand has had exceptionally good
commodity prices. Labour’s ever increasing tax take, ever increasing compliance costs, and new regulations have been
slowly stifling innovation and opportunity.
It is no wonder so many New Zealanders have given up and gone to Australia. In Australia, the total size of government
is around 35% compared to over 40% in New Zealand. Take home pay is typically around a third higher. Australians have
had successive tax cuts nearly every year over the last decade.
The real election issue
Bill Clinton’s words from 1992, “It’s the economy, stupid” have never been truer.
It’s time Labour stopped the personal abuse, and started debating the issues that really affect people’s lives.18 April 2008
Dr Wayne Mapp
For more information on National visit www.national.org.nz or have a say at www.johnkey.co.nz
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ENDS