12 Apr 2010

Minister warns Grey Power against political alignment

8:29 pm on 12 April 2010

Senior Citizens Minister John Carter has told Grey Power members they could lose their political independence by aligning themselves with an inquiry led by the Labour and Green parties.

Mr Carter was speaking to more than 100 delegates at the organisation's annual meeting in Christchurch.

He said he was surprised by the announcement Grey Power would work alongside Labour and the Greens to hold a nationwide inquiry into the state of aged care.

He says he's worried the association is moving away from its goal of being non-aligned with any political party.

Mr Carter said the previous Labour Government was to blame for the state of aged care and this Government is having to sort out nine years of neglect.

However, Grey Power president Les Howard says the organisation isn't losing its political independence.

Mr Howard says superannuitants up and down the country are worried by issues such as home help being cut, and Grey Power would support any inquiry into aged care - no matter who conducts it.

Aged care 'in better shape' under Labour

Labour Party MP Winnie Laban on Monday rejected the minister's assertion that problems with aged care are the fault of the previous Labour-led government.

Mr Carter says Labour should have investigated the state of aged care when it was in power and now the Government has been left to fix the problem.

But Ms Laban says aged care was in better shape under Labour, and the Government has shut down her attempts to launch an official investigation.

"Put the politics aside - National did have a chance as government to support us to have this inquiry together, but voted it down.

"So for me the fact that Grey Power are going to work with us to hold these meetings around the country, I think we need to be positive about it."