Category: News & Stories

Source: Family First

MEDIA RELEASE

20 December 2024  

In a disturbing development affecting our already under-resourced palliative care service, Health New Zealand is looking to sack the only two people focused on improving the already under-funded and under-supported palliative care system. And a new report warns that children are not receiving the palliative care they deserve.

Those in the health sector have alerted Family First NZ that Health New Zealand proposes to disestablish the National Palliative Care Programme with its two staff focused on improving palliative care outcomes.

Ironically, the programme focused on assisted suicide and euthanasia will continue with its five staff.

This is all happening while reports come out, such as Rei Kotuku (Paediatric Palliative Care NZ), noting that over 75% of children cannot receive the specialist palliative care they need.

“Serious questions must be asked as to why Health New Zealand is more than willing to fund and promote euthanasia, but cut the already poorly funded palliative care space, including for children,” says Simon O’Connor, Director of External Engagement for Family First NZ.

Associate Professor Ben Gray of Otago University’s Department of Primary Health Care noted New Zealand is beginning to show the same dynamics as Oregon’s euthanasia experience, where the majority seeking the early end of their lives are white, wealthy, and educated.

As more money and focus is put into euthanasia and assisted suicide, the inequalities across the health sector will increase.

The head of New Zealand’s pro-euthanasia advocacy group indicated that euthanasia is a useful cost cutting measure for a stretched health system. Mary Panko, the President of the  End of Life Choice Society, said the quiet bit out loud when speaking to RNZ when the euthanasia law was coming into effect:

“If you’re in hospital and in the last six months of your life receiving high-level medical attention, that is going to be costing the country.  We are not proposing this as a cost-saving measure … but we are saying that it’s not going to be any more expensive.”

The intention is clear, and has been echoed by other New Zealand pro-euthanasia advocates – that euthanasia saves money.

And that should concern all of us – but especially vulnerable people who are facing a terminal illness yet want to experience dignity and the very best palliative care in their final months or years.

Source: Family First

MEDIA RELEASE

18 December 2024

MPs Should Take A Break & Reject Easter Trading Bill

Family First NZ is calling on MPs to reject ACT’s bill to liberalise Easter trading laws which is having its 1^st Reading in Parliament today.

“We reject any liberalisation of Easter trading laws and also Anzac and Christmas days because workers deserve this special annual break to spend time with their families. If anything, we should have more public holidays around Labour Day, Matariki and Waitangi Day,” says Bob McCoskrie, Chief Executive of Family First NZ.

“Economic improvement needs to be finely balanced with family and community time. Anzac Day, Easter, and Christmas remain as the few times when the whole country stops and takes a break. How long before attempts are made to liberalise trading laws around Anzac Day and Christmas day.”

Significantly, there seems to be a focus in this latest attempt not just on shops in general being able to open but on being able to sell alcohol. The explanatory note to the bill says: “This bill removes the restriction on trading and selling alcohol on Good Friday and Easter Sunday.”

David Seymour originally announced the bill by saying “Easter’s a wonderful time – a long needed break after easing into the new year.”

But not a break for workers in the retail industry.

“Public holidays are a social good – whether they are religious-based or not. Poll after poll has shown that both parents and children want to spend more time doing family things like picnics and holidays together. However, this is becoming increasingly difficult as the retail industry is required to work almost every day of the year, and shoppers focus on the holiday specials. To argue that it is justified because shoppers are able to shop online is a flawed argument. If it was a valid argument, retailers in NZ would have to be open 24/7,” says Mr McCoskrie.

“New Zealanders deserve the break.”

“This is not an issue about choice as has also been argued. For many workers, they don’t have the luxury of choice as to whether they work or not. Coercion to work will be a very real threat.”

“Tourists will cope. Many countries have public holidays with shops closed, and tourists simply plan around it, accepting it as part of the local culture and identity,” says Mr McCoskrie.

“We should keep the Easter culture, for the sake of families.”