Stewart Barbara: Budget Debate 
Stewart Barbara: Budget Debate 
[Volume:647;Page:16564] 
BARBARA STEWART (NZ First) 
: 
 On behalf of New Zealand First I am very pleased to take a call in the 2008 Budget debate. In New Zealand First we are delighted that again extra money has actually been injected into the health system. Health is almost always in the headlines and it needs attention particularly on workforce issues. Now I could not understand why the National leader did not even mention the word “health” in his speech or even indicate any policy direction in this important area. This was a missed opportunity. The silence was absolutely deafening. There was not a mutter or a murmur from any of the health spokespeople in the Opposition about what they could do what they have done or what they intend to do bigger brighter and better than what we have already. There was nothing forward-looking at all. 
I do have to be fair and say that there was one remark which we heard from the previous speaker David Carter acknowledging what the Rt Hon Winston Peters has secured for senior citizens and how National can do better. But it is really important to realise that although the Opposition members say they can do better they did not say about what they did not say how or they did not even say when. In this House we all know that the devil is in the detail but the details we did not hear or even the directions. The adage that it is OK to criticise as long as one has a positive solution seems to be lost on the Opposition. 
On the positive side of the coin and in my portfolio area the increase in the health budget will go some way towards addressing some of the challenges that lie ahead. It is very evident that there will be serious challenges ahead for the medical workforce. Yesterday the World Health Organization released a report stating that this was an area that needed urgent attention. New Zealand First was very pleased to see that this issue had been acknowledged and will begin to be addressed as it is just not sustainable to continue to import the numbers of overseas-trained medical staff doctors and nurses that we are currently importing and have been importing. We need to urgently invest in boosting medical student numbers and in training for nurses and other medical personnel. This Budget has made a positive step in this direction which we can appreciate. 
The big challenge will be to retain those greater numbers of medical graduates in New Zealand. New Zealand First has policy to assist in this area and here we must congratulate National on using our policy so I say “thank you” to National. It is rather ironic that Australian health providers advertise in New Zealand newspapers for our medical staff to make the move overseas. But the reality is that we need them here and we need comprehensive strategies in place to retain them to ensure that they actually do stay in New Zealand. 
New Zealand First was very pleased with the increased subsidy for hearing aids for the SuperGold cardholders. The increased subsidy from $198 to $500 for those aged 65 and over from 1 October will be very welcome. We know that hearing aids are very expensive and very vital pieces of equipment and one size does not fit all. This initiative will benefit many of our senior citizens—[ 
Interruption 
] I say to Mr Hide that no doubt it will benefit some of the other members in the House. 
Other New Zealand First gains include an ongoing funding boost for the elder-care sector. This is a growing sector it is very important and it needs a careful eye on it to ensure that funding is adequate. What New Zealand First is providing here is very positive as is the boost to superannuation. We know that our superannuitants need this boost. All in all we believe that this is very positive news for our senior citizens. We are pleased to see the continued investment in the area of oral health. It seems to have been slowing down and this will give it the kick-start that it needs. 
As my leader said Budget 2008 contains some good elements a few bad omissions and the promise of something better from New Zealand First.