Labour's poll driven dental desperation

Heather Roy Wednesday, 31 August 2005 Press Releases - Health

Labour's announcement that it will spend $100 million revamping oral health care for children, adolescents and low-income adults is nothing more than a vote-seeking tactic, ACT Health spokesman Heather Roy said today.

"Health Minister Annette King has an appalling record in the dental health area.

"For six years Labour has failed to address the disgraceful state of children's oral health in this country and the huge waiting lists for dental treatment.

"Polls show that health is a major concern among voters. It is hard to see this announcement as anything other than a cynical and belated vote-seeking tactic.

"Treasury and Ministry of Health papers show that there is no more money for health, which is already forecasting a $1 billion increase each year. So where Is the Government going to get the money from?

"Michael Cullen has called on other parties to be fiscally responsible in lead up to election, yet Labour has made announcement after announcement, spending more and more taxpayer money in an attempt to bribe voters this election," Mrs Roy said

ENDS

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