Media release from Labour Health spokesperson Ruth Dyson

The National Government is supporting the half a million dollars a head Chief Executive salaries while it caps the pay of doctors and nurses , Labour Health spokesperson Ruth Dyson says.

"It is completely hypocritical for the National Government to say that doctors and nurses will have to go without pay raises this year or for the foreseeable future while supporting continued salaries of half a million dollars or more for public sector Chief Executives.

"Commenting on radio in his capacity as State Services Minister Tony Ryall ruled out capping the pay the Chief Executives of government departments saying these were big and complex jobs and they needed good quality people to do them," Ruth Dyson said.

"Those statements are nothing more than blatant hypocrisy, because as Minister of Health Tony Ryall has effectively capped frontline health professional's salaries at their current levels.

"My concern is that by refusing to acknowledge the need to ensure salaries of medical professionals remain competitive the National Government will drive doctors and nurses into private health care or overseas.

"Labour would rather see frontline health professionals receiving salaries that ensure they stay in the country working in public hospitals than having taxpayer money going towards higher and higher Chief Executive salaries," Ruth Dyson said.