Response to Pharmac's decision to pay for combo therapy

Owen Jennings, Chief Executive of ACT NZ (a minor political party), issued a press release entitled "Bizarre Political Correctness" in response to Pharmac, the government drug buying agency, decision to pay for combo therapy.

The statement is quoted in full:

'Political correctness has reached bizarre and unconscionable depths when the state pays for every last cent of drug treatments for AIDS sufferers but demands pensioners pay for pain relief from arthritis and ulcers.

Yet again, taxpayers see the bureacracy captured by vociferous, narrow interest groups and unable to withstand the silliness of the poltically correct.

How can anyone justify 100% support for a group, the majority of whom choose to indulge in a high-risk lifestyle with the knowledge that treatment is horrendously expensive, while denying the same to older people on a modest state pension who are being asked to pay up to $100 per treatment that was formerly just a few dollars.

No-one objects to aids suffers receiving medical treatment. The double standard is that the elderly have to pay, whereas even wealthy AIDS sufferers receive all their treatment for free. Let's have some consistency.

ACT New Zealand deplores the conitnuing interferences in people's lives by the state and a bureaucracy that lacks accountability and common decencies.

ACT's policies will give individuals a greater role in these decisions and ensure people take responsibility for themselves.'

Coming out in support of the decision Pink Health spokesman, David Verrall said, the drugs would extend life and decrease the occurence of potentially life-threatening illnesses.

New Zealand Gay Tourism Association Formed

The New Zealand Gay Tourism Association is been formed by a small group of people in New Zealand. Chris McKellar the spokesperson for NZGTA, said that the Association has been formed by interested gay and gay friendly tourism operators who are dedicated to a gay tourism infra-structure within New Zealand.

Initial interest by existing gay tourist businesses has been slow but Mr McKellar believes this will change over time.

Gay Business group to be formed in Wellington

Just under 100 people attended a meeting to discuss the formation of business and professional association for gay men and women in Wellington. Initial response at the meeting was positive and spokesperson Bruce Young said that they would now proceed in the establishment of the association, tentatively called Gay Association for Professionals.

Nelson Dykes take to the Air

A new radio programme took to the air in Nelson. The show is can be heard on 99.4 Fresh FM every Sunday at 10am, just before Gaytime FM at 11am. The station can be picked up accross the top of the South Island, from Takaka to Blenheim.

Gay TV and Radio

Television

Express Report every Monday 10pm on ATV, Capital City, Coast to Coast, Southern and CTV.

Shortland St, TV 2, Monday to Friday - 7pm, NZ own soap opera now has Jonathon, a gay character, back again.

Dream On, TV 2, Sunday March 17 11:20pm Plot says Martin has to confront his own prejudices when he agrees to publish a book by a man dying of Aids.

The Sum Of Us, Sky TV Thursday March 21 11:30pm.

And The Band Played On, Sky TV Sunday March 24, 8:30pm

Radio

Regular gay and lesbian shows

Auckland - G & T Show, 810AM Access Radio, Thursday 7 to 8am
Auckland - This Way Out, 810AM Access Radio, Saturday 11:40am
Auckland - In The Pink, 95BFM Student Radio, Sunday 8 to 9pm
Auckland - Girls Own Show, 95BFM Student Radio, Sunday 7 to 8pm
Hamilton - Different Strokes, Contact 89FM, Sunday 6 to 8pm
Wellington - Gay BC, 783AM Access Radio, Gay BC, Saturdays 11:15 - 12:15
Wellington - Reading Lesbian Writers, 783AM Access Radio,Saturdays, 1.15 - 1.30pm
Wellington - Lesbian Radio Programme, 783AM Access Radio,Sundays, 10 - 11 am
Wellington - Boy Trouble, 89FM Student Radio, Sunday 6-7pm
Top of the South - Dyke FM, 99.4FM Fresh FM, Sunday 10am
Top of the South - Gaytime FM, 99.4FM Fresh FM, Sunday 11am
Christchurch - Loud & Queer, RDU 98.3FM Student Radio,Wednesday 6pm to 7pm
Christchurch - Outwaves, Plains, 96.9FM , Monday 8pm
Christchurch - Lesbians on Air, Plains 96.9FM Monday 9.30 - 10pm (note 9-9.30pm from 18th March)
Dunedin -Lesbian Show, 91FM Radio One, Tuesday 6pm
Dunedin -Tea with the Boys, 91FM Radio One, Thursday 6pm

Reviews

None this week.

Events - Upcoming

Auckland Community Church - 31 March 1996.
Auckland Gay Bowling Association - 31 March 1996
Wellington Blatant GLBT Dance - 30 March 1996
Hutt Lesbian Group - 30 March 1996
Wellington Lesbian Library (LILAC) - 30 March 1996
Wellington Lesbian & Gay Fair - 30 March 1996
Wellington Lesbian Library (LILAC) - 27 March 1996
Auckland Community Church - 24 March 1996.
Wellington Lesbian Overland and Cafe Club - 24 March 1996
Auckland Gay Bowling Association - 24 March 1996
Wellington Lesbian Library (LILAC) - 23 March 1996
Wellington - Decentrings - Epifoni - 21 - 22 March 1996
Wellington - The Boy Next Door - 21 - 23 March 1996
Wellington - Te Ahuru Kaituhi 2 - 19 - 23 March 1996
Auckland Community Church - 20 March 1996
Wellington Ascent Discussion Evening - 20 March 1996
Wellington Lesbian Library (LILAC) - 20 March 1996
Wellington - The Girl, the Devil, her Violin - 19 - 23 March 1996
Wellington - S/N# - Dumb Type - 19 - 23 March 1996
Wellington - The Lisbon Traviata - 18 - 23 March 1996
Taranaki 10 Pin Bowls - 18 March 1996
Dunedin Lesbian Beyond The Closet Meeting - 18 March 1996.
Auckland Community Church - 17 March 1996.
Wellington Lesbian Mountain Bike Riders - 17 March 1996
Auckland Gay Bowling Association - 17 March 1996

Gay Switchboards and information lines

(Thanks to everyone who has pointed out errors, corrections and ommissions - hopefully I have fixed them correctly.)

AIDS Hotline - Auckland +64-9-3580099 Toll free 0800-802-437 24 Hours
Whangarei Gay Help - +64-9-437-7620, Tuesday and Thursday 7 to 9.30pm
Auckland Gayline - +64-9-303-3584 10am to 10pm weekdays, 2pm to 10pm weekends.
Hamilton Gayline - +64-7-854-9631, Wednesday 8 to 10pm
Rotorua Gayline - +64-7-348-3598, Tuesday 7 to 9pm
Napier Gayline - +64-6-835-7482, 5pm to 8am.
Palmerston North - +64-6-358-5378 24 hour answerservice.
Wellington Switchboard - +64-4-385-0674, 7.30pm to 10pm
Wellington Lesbian Line - +64-4-389-8082 Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday 7.30 to 10pm.
Greymouth/Reefton Gayline - +64-3-768-4366, Wednesday to Friday 6 to 9pm.
Westport Gayline - +64-3-789-6027, Friday 7-8.30pm
Hokitika Gayline - +64-3-755-6270, Monday, Tuesday and Thursday 7-10pm
Christchurch Gayline - +64-3-379-4796 Mondays 8-9pm, Saturday 7.30 to 10pm
Christchurch Gay Information line - +64-3-379-3990 24 hour recorded service.
Dunedin Gayline - +64-3-477-2077 24 hour recorded service. Answered on Wednesday 5.30 to 7.30pm, Friday 7.30 to 10.30pm
Dunedin Lesbian Line - +64-3-477-2077 24 hour recorded service. Answered on Tuesday 5.30 to 7.30pm

What is happening on the Internet

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