Retirement village residents want to know whether Winston
Peters will secure repayment protections for the people
living in villages now, 18 months after he promised his
support and then went silent.
RVResidents President
Brian Peat says the Government’s proposal leaves existing
residents without a repayment deadline, and New Zealand
First needs to say whether it will insist they are
covered.
“We met Mr Peters 18 months ago and he told
us he wholly supported our cause. We never heard from him
again, and our calls went unanswered, so you’ll forgive us
if we don’t get too excited about hearing it all again.
Residents are still waiting for their money.
“If
you’re reading this from your villa right now, the
Government’s proposed repayment deadline won’t do a
thing for your existing agreement. You’ve already handed
over your life savings, but you would still have no firm
deadline for getting them back. Last month Casey Costello
welcomed the Government’s announcement as fulfilling a
coalition commitment. Now Mr Peters says he does not support
it. Which position are residents supposed to
believe?”
Mr Peat says the Government’s proposal
falls well short of what residents need.
“Nine
months is already too long to wait for your own money.
Excluding current residents makes it worse, and the proposed
10 per cent early payment would also exclude estates when a
resident dies, leaving families waiting while funeral bills
need paying.
“We would welcome Mr Peters securing
something better. But if the parties cannot agree after the
election, there is a real chance no repayment reform will
proceed under another National-led government. Residents
could end up with nothing.”
Advertisement – scroll to continue reading
Mr Peat says Mr
Peters’ proposed bond scheme needs to answer the same
basic questions.
“Would it cover existing residents
and estates, and guarantee full repayment within three
months? And why should people entering villages have to put
in additional money so departing residents can get their own
money back? We are asking every party for a three-month
repayment guarantee covering existing residents and their
estates. Will New Zealand First commit to that and insist on
it in coalition negotiations?
“Retirement village
residents are not props for Mr Peters’ election campaign.
These are their life savings, and they need more than
another promise that goes
nowhere.”
