News

What National Party policy?

David Cunliffe

03.09.2008

The National Party is desperately trying to divert attention away from their failure to deliver a health policy, Minister of Health David Cunliffe said.

Mr Cunliffe said claims that he was stealing National Party policies were ludicrous.

"Very few things in politics surprise me or make me laugh, but today's press release from Tony Ryall achieved both."

Mr Cunliffe said he has seen endless press releases from Tony Ryall and the National Party but no policy documents, only a discussion document more infamous for what it fails to mention than what it actually said.

"It would be exceptionally difficult for me to steal policies that don't actually exist Mr Ryall."

Mr Cunliffe said the facts were National had no health policy and the few tid-bits of information the party had released on health only repeated what was already happening in the health sector.

The largest hospital building programme began under this government,
more people can afford to see their GP than ever before,
there are more frontline health workers,
child health has become a priority under this government and
more students are studying for careers in medicine than ever before.

"While this government has got on with the task of making healthcare more accessible, more affordable and building more places to deliver health care from, the National Party has delivered just a few more press releases.

"If as Mr Ryall claims these policies were taken from the National Party perhaps he could point out the day his party launched their policy and maybe even show us the policy document.

"Otherwise it's fairly obvious just how desperate the National Party are."

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