Media Release

01 May 2007

NZ First Welcomes Huge Injection Into Eldercare Sector

After years of neglect, those working in the eldercare sector can now sleep a little easier in the knowledge that a huge injection of funding places it on a more secure footing, says New Zealand First leader Winston Peters.

Mr Peters was commenting on today's announcement of the largest ever injection of funding into eldercare.

"New Zealand First made a dramatic increase in funding for this sector a priority within its confidence and supply agreement, and have been working with the Government to secure this substantial increase – the second large increase in successive budgets.

"Additionally, New Zealand First has argued for a significant portion of these funds being used to bolster wages in the sector and we are pleased to see this approach being endorsed by the Minister.

"We would note that there is strong evidence that a large portion of the increase in last year's budget did go towards wages, which was a pleasing development. However, we look forward to discussing further the specific details of how this might be best achieved over the longer term.

"This announcement today is further evidence of a party prepared to work constructively with others to achieve positive outcomes. New Zealand First is pleased to have again delivered to its constituency on a key policy front," concluded Mr Peters.

ENDS

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