TALK ABOUT POLITICS
Neal Catley recently wrote to Tim van de Molen MP for Waikato and also the National Spokesperson for Defence, Veterans, Building and Construction, and ACC. Neal raised the issue of veterans with Tim to see what the National Party’s approach would be towards veterans in the upcoming election. Below is his response which on the face of it is Positive. We will continue to review the policy once it is published and keep you advised.
From: Ben Teviotdale
To: ‘Neal Catley’
Sent: Monday, 19 June 2023 at 10:04:45 am NZST
Subject: RE: TALK ABOUT POLITICS!!
Good morning Neal,
Thank you for your recent email to Tim. The topic of veterans is one which has often been shunted aside, but it is highly important that gets the attention it deserves.
The National Party respects and appreciates everything that veterans do for our country and the risks they took while serving the NZDF. Our office is currently in the process of developing measures and means that would appropriately support veterans to live a life with as few grievances and issues as we can possibly allow.
We look forward to being able to announce our plans for veterans between now and the election.
Once again, thank you for your email on such an important topic.
Kind regards,
Ben Teviotdale|Communications, Research, and Policy Advisor
Office of Tim van de Molen MP|Member of Parliament for Waikato
Room 3.103, Parliament House, Wellington 6160, New Zealand
DDI: +64 4 817 6950 | M: +64 21 850 579 | ben.teviotdale@parliament.govt.nz
If Government ministers haven’t received any papers from predecessors, does that not suggest that the briefing papers have been lost somewhere?
To cut to the nut Minister Senior Staff Secretaries are the custodian of all briefing papers and, as such, it would be inappropriate to assume briefing papers may have been lost. Notwithstanding that, each Minister upon appointment receives a comprehensive briefing by her/his Head of Department including all matters outstanding together with a recommended course of action, which is prepared for consideration. Accordingly, a Minister’s action/inaction about matters outstanding is solely her/his responsibility.