12. JO GOODHEW (National—Rangitata) Link to this
to the Minister for Senior Citizens
My question is—[ Interruption]
Mr SPEAKERI apologise for interrupting the honourable member. Members know that they cannot interject, saying “you”.
Hon JOHN CARTER (Minister for Senior Citizens) Link to this
1 October is the International Day of Older Persons, and it is an opportunity to honour older persons and acknowledge the huge contribution that older people make to society in every walk of life, and as grandparents, friends, and mentors to the younger generation. I will be travelling to several events around the country to celebrate the day, and I look forward to having the opportunity to celebrate it with older persons. I encourage other New Zealanders, and particularly members in this House, to take part in the many events that will be occurring on that day in New Zealand.
As the Minister for Senior Citizens, my priorities are to concentrate on three particular goals in the Government’s Positive Ageing Strategy.
Hon Maryan StreetThis is a serious issue. We on this side of the House respect our older people, unlike those interjections we are getting from the Opposition. We will support the employment of older people by encouraging flexible work options and the negotiation of retirement plans to allow older people to work if they choose to. We will work to change attitudes about ageing by celebrating the contributions that older people make to communities, and we will encourage older people to continue to stay involved. We will also raise awareness about elder abuse and neglect. Those three priorities are being actively championed and will have a very real impact on the day-to-day lives of older people.
H V Ross Robertson Link to this
Such wonderful praise! Are making cuts to adult and community education because, to quote Anne Tolley, “The average age of people attending those night classes is about 46.”, considering cutting tertiary education entitlements for over-65s, cutting home support to the elderly, and stopping contributions to the New Zealand Superannuation Fund good examples of how this Government is recognising the contribution of our older New Zealanders to the community?
Unlike the previous administration, this Government actually does respect the older people of New Zealand. More important, it is working with the many organisations, such as Grey Power and Age Concern, that represent the older folk in our society. This Government, with schemes such as those promoted by the Minister of Energy and Resources and the Minister of Housing, is making sure that elderly folk are able to live comfortably in New Zealand in warm homes, for example. We have put a huge amount of energy into that. This Government will continue to work with older folk to make sure they have a great standard of living.