Goudie Sandra: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
Goudie Sandra: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
[Volume:631;Page:3125] 
10.  
SANDRA GOUDIE (National—Coromandel) 
 to the  
Minister for Senior Citizens 
: Does she stand by her statement that “As far as the Government is concerned abuse or neglect of our older citizens in residential care—or anywhere else for that matter—is abhorrent. It is simply unacceptable.”; if so why? 
Hon LIANNE DALZIEL (Minister of Commerce) 
 on behalf of the 
 Minister for Senior Citizens 
: Yes because abuse or neglect of our older citizens in residential care—or anywhere for that matter—is abhorrent. It is simply unacceptable and that is why the Government in last year’s Budget committed an additional $3 million over 4 years for elder abuse and neglect prevention services details of which are contained in the speech from which the quote is taken. 
Nathan Guy 
: Does she consider acceptable the printing of photos of our vulnerable elderly people naked? 
Hon LIANNE DALZIEL 
: I believe that it is unhelpful to make public statements in response to allegations before the precise nature of a complaint is determined and the facts of the matter established. 
Madam SPEAKER 
: It was impossible to hear the Minister’s response. I just remind members that I am taking under advisement what the Hon Peter Dunne said. So would members please keep interjections to a level where other members in the Chamber can hear. 
Nathan Guy 
: Is the reason the Minister has not spoken out publicly against this abuse that she is more interested in Labour’s relationship with the nurses’ union than in doing what is right for the elderly? 
Hon LIANNE DALZIEL 
: No. It is because I believe it is unhelpful to make public statements in response to allegations before the precise nature of a complaint is determined and the facts of the matter established. 
Hon Marian Hobbs 
: Could the Minister inform us as to how the Elder Abuse and Neglect Prevention services respond to complaints received in relation to a rest home resident? 
Hon LIANNE DALZIEL 
: I am advised that essentially the role of such coordinators is to assess the nature of the complaint first and then refer it to the appropriate agency as necessary. It is the nature of the complaint that will determine the nature of the referral. 
Sandra Goudie 
: How does she think that the publication of these photos and her dismissal of their gravity helps further her Government’s goal of the promotion of positive attitudes towards older people which is fundamental to preventing elder abuse? 
Hon LIANNE DALZIEL 
: My reading of the statements in the newspaper about this matter would suggest that the issue is one of consent and that is something that an older person is entitled to give. 
Sandra Goudie 
: I seek leave to table the  
Kai Tiaki Nursing New Zealand  
magazine. 
Madam SPEAKER 
: Leave is sought to table that document. Is there any objection? There is objection. 
Sandra Goudie 
: I seek leave to table the  
New Zealand Herald 
 article of 16 May headed: “Row over pictures of naked patients”. 
Madam SPEAKER 
: Leave is sought to table that document. Is there any objection? There is objection. 
Sandra Goudie 
: I seek leave to table an article in the  
Dominion Post 
 of Wednesday 17 May headed: “Family may sue over rest home photo”. 
Madam SPEAKER 
: Leave is sought to table that document. Is there any objection? There is objection.