2 December 2001

The level to which this Government is losing touch with everyday New Zealanders is clear by the way the Prime Minister failed to address key issues at this weekends Labour Party Conference.

National Party Leader Bill English says if Labour doesn't realise by now that Health is in a complete shambles then they truly are completely out of touch with even their own people.

"This Government has abandoned the hundreds of seriously ill patients affected by planned strike action around the country. Words like responsibility and accountability appear to have been struck out from the Prime Ministers dictionary.

"Then we have a reputable organisation like Residential Care NZ forced to write a public letter in the media over the Government's failure to adequately negotiate the care of the long term frail elderly. Helen Clark may not care but these people and their caregivers do.

"What has Helen Clark got to say over their comment that the Government has a lack of real concern and double standards when it comes to caring for the elderly?

"Then there is the matter of the super fund which many key bank economists are raising concerns about. Helen Clark and Dr Michael Cullen intend sending two billion dollars a year offshore, even worse most will be borrowed money.

"Why didn't Helen Clark tell those at her conference about this and how she and Jim Anderton are going to be the fund managers. It is certainly not hard to see why economists are uneasy.

"Finally we have the last-minute amendment to the Electoral Act. The National Party shares the view of Gavin Ellis of the Commonwealth Press Union that it is the sort of legislation of a repressive regime rather than a liberal democracy.

"Yes there were many important issues the Prime Minister failed to talk about. The only person who got it right at their conference was Labour's President Mike Williams when he warned them not to be complacent going into the next election.

"He's dead right. I look at the numbers I have been getting at several public meetings over the last fortnight and Labour has every reason not to feel complacent," says Mr English.

Ends.

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