Meddling Labour ministers caught out again

"The High Court has slammed another Labour minister for acting in a 'ridiculous' way and failing to consult properly on new rules for retirement villages," says National's Associate Health spokeswoman (Aged Care) Jo Goodhew.

The caning comes only a few weeks after the High Court found Pete Hodgson acted in an 'unlawful' way, and completely mucked-up the pay round for residential care workers.

"As a result of this latest court judgment, the Retirement Villages Code of Practice 2006 has been declared invalid by the High Court . The High Court judge says it does not comply with the law and that the Minister acted 'ridiculously'."

The Judge found the Code did not comply with s89 of the Retirement Villages Act 2003, which requires consultation with affected parties.

"Building and Construction Minister Clayton Cosgrove acted unilaterally in alterations to the Code and failed to properly consult on the changes.

"This is yet another example of the arrogant 'do as we say' attitude Labour has to a sector that seeks to provide care to older New Zealanders."

Mrs Goodhew says Labour Ministers appear not to have learned that their meddling will be exposed in the Courts.

"In this case the Minister allowed only four days for the Retirement Villages Association to comment on a significantly changed Code.

"As the Code had been three years in the pipeline, the Court, unsurprisingly, described the process as having 'significant deficiencies'.

"Judge Simon France said that, in his view, the four days the Retirement Villages Association had to comment was 'ridiculous'."

Click to download (PDF) High Court Judgment – 27 pages.