MEDIA STATEMENT FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE,
THURSDAY 4 OCTOBER 2001

“Air New Zealand Rescue Package Precedent For Health System”

“The Government’s announcement of its $885m rescue package for Air New Zealand sets a positive precedent to investigate for the public health system,” said Mr Ian Powell, Executive Director of the Association of Salaried Medical Specialists, today.

“So much of our social and economic resources were gutted during the past decade of ‘free market’ ideology. The Government has recognised this with its airline rescue package. It has also recognised this in rail transport with its earlier decision to spend $81m buying the previously privatised rail tracks in Auckland.”

“Our public health system has been also whacked and run-down over the past decade by continued under-funding. Senior doctors see this every day with intense pressure to compromise the quality of care for patients in an increasingly creaky and uncertain environment. In the meantime public hospital deficits continue to increase.”

“The Government should investigate what is necessary to provide a suitable rescue package for the public health system. It is prepared to bite the bullet for air and rail transport. It should also bit the bullet for patients,” concluded Mr Powell.

Ian Powell

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

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