New Zealand First leader Winston Peters says his party would stop rest homes being sold to overseas owners if it makes it back into government.In a speech titled "NZ for Sale" at an RSA in Rangiora today, Mr Peters railed against privatisation o
New Zealand First leader Winston Peters says his party would stop rest homes being sold to overseas owners if it makes it back into government.
In a speech titled "NZ for Sale" at an RSA in Rangiora today, Mr Peters railed against privatisation of rest homes.
"Care of the elderly has been internationally privatised and sold off overseas."
About 75% of 870 rest homes around the country were run by foreign companies and last year the Overseas Investment Office approved sales of aged rest care facilities worth $1.5 billion, he said.
The sector received government subsidies and labour costs were low.
"It is attractive for foreign owners to come, buy our rest homes and use enterprising tax accountants and lawyers to use excessive transfer pricing, tax losses and other means of milking the sytem."
He said NZ First would "not allow unlimited exploitation" of the elderly if it returned to Parliament.
The party also had a policy to extend super gold card benefits to include a free medical checkup once a year with GP fees capped at $10.
Mr Peters also criticised the government over land sales; for allowing the Maori sovereignty flag to be flown; for signing up to a United Nations declaration of indigenous rights and reopening the foreshore and seabed debate.
