8. Hon RICK BARKER (Labour) Link to this
to the Minister of Veterans' Affairs
Is she doing anything to increase awareness of veterans’ entitlements?
Hon JUDITH COLLINS (Minister of Veterans’ Affairs) Link to this
Yes. My department is well aware of my desire to ensure that veterans are aware of their entitlements, and I meet regularly with the Royal New Zealand Returned and Services’ Association and the Chief of Defence Force to ensure that the department is responding to the needs of veterans.
Does the Minister’s statement on veterans’ pensions that “If you don’t ask for it, you don’t get it.” signal a change in policy towards veterans’ pensions of being more bureaucratic, mean spirited, and uncooperative with veterans; and how does this square with the public sentiment that we should be generous to our veterans for their sacrifice and service to our country?
Hon JUDITH COLLINS Link to this
Well, it does not, and that is because I did not make that statement. I am happy that the member has asked the question, which gives me the opportunity to correct the matter. I made a written statement to the reporter. That statement is in the document I am holding. I will seek leave at the end of this question to table it. It will show that the reporter has completely misquoted me. What I did say is this: “Veterans should get their full entitlements if they wish.” That was the statement; it was misquoted. I will seek leave to table a complaint to the editor of the Sunday Star-Times and a full transcript of the entire email correspondence, and I will be seeking an apology.
Is everybody else wrong except the Minister in her approach to these issues, or will she simply try to put her name on the achievements of the previous Government of a historic memorandum of understanding with Viet Nam veterans, moving to restructure the veterans’ organisation, and rewriting the War Pensions Act; and what will be her achievement for veterans?
Hon JUDITH COLLINS Link to this
Perhaps that member did not listen. I did not make that statement. The correct statement that I made was in writing. It is here. It will be tabled.
I seek leave to table the following: a letter from me to the editor of the Sunday Star-Times, complaining about misreporting; and correspondence in the form of emails, all of which state exactly what was said and how it was said.
Mr SPEAKER