By FRANCESCA MOLD political reporter
Social Services Minister Steve Maharey has contradicted the Prime Minister by defending officials for advice they gave cabinet when it considered changes to community services cards.
Mr Maharey yesterday said his officials had given "good, clear advice."
"The issue clearly has gone off the rails over the last few weeks. But what I'm saying to you is that what we gave was advice about 1270 people who were going to miss out on their entitlements, so they've ended up having them protected."
When asked if he had handled the situation badly, Mr Maharey said: "No, I've handled it very well."
Last week, Helen Clark expressed concern that "ministers and bureaucrats" had supplied cabinet with incorrect advice when it lifted income limits for community services cards held by 1270 superannuitants.
It was initially thought that 40 beneficiaries would be included in the change designed to protect them from losing their cards because of a pay increase to compensate for inflation.
But the Prime Minister later said this was wrong because all beneficiaries were automatically entitled to a community services card.
On Monday, Helen Clark took her concerns further by warning ministers and heads of Government departments to sharpen up their act and make sure that they provided the correct advice.
The Government yesterday made an obvious effort to alter the way its decision is being reported, accusing the media of wrongly interpreting it as a change to income thresholds which determine eligibility for community services cards.
Mr Maharey repeatedly said the Government had not changed or lifted eligibility thresholds for the card. Instead it had "grandparented" the card to protect the rights of a group of superannuitants.
Last week, the Prime Minister said the Government had "adjusted the threshold" for the card.
Health Minister Annette King yesterday revealed, in Parliament, that the move to finance primary healthcare for all New Zealanders would cost the Government between $350 million and $400 million a year.
The money for such changes, including visits to GPs, is expected to be detailed in next year's Budget.
Maharey stands by his officials for 'good advice'
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