A Grey Power Media Release: 6 September 2005

Grey Power tells its members to support parties that support us

In a message released today to all Grey Power Associations throughout New Zealand, Federation President Graham Stairmand confirmed both the organisation’s political neutrality and at the same time, emphasized the importance of supporting parties that support the interests of superannuitants.

He says, “more often than not, it is the minor political parties that introduce policies which closely address the issues that mostly concern the elderly.

“When you get into the polling booth, those minor parties should not be forgotten. Your party vote is the key to putting those minor parties into coalition government and having some effect on that government’s policy.

“Recently, for example, it was a minor party that wants to increase the minimum wage to $12 an hour, primarily to assist the undervalued and underpaid rest home and home care workers.

Mr Stairmand says “it was another minor party only a few days ago that promised to peg outrageous energy prices for elderly, both for electricity and petrol. If these minor parties move into coalition, these policies stand a good chance of becoming law.”

Mr Stairmand says the elderly “should remember there are only about 450,000 of us - little more than ten per cent of the population. Major parties tend not to be concerned with specific issues that affect the smaller sectors of the population. He urges Grey Power members to “use their party vote wisely.”

Grey Power has more than 90,000 active members, and is recognised as a leading support organization for hundreds of thousands of retired New Zealanders.

ENDS

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