More Power To Voluntary Agencies Says United Future

United Future leader, Hon Peter Dunne, and deputy leader, Anthony Walton, want the voluntary sector to take the dominant role in providing social services.

They told a public meeting in Palmerston North last night that voluntary social service agencies were far more in tune with people's needs, and often better able to assist than government social services.

"The government would do much better if it channelled more resources to the voluntary sector to enable those agencies to perform their roles even more effectively," said Mr Dunne.

"Voluntary agencies are more caring and compassionate, more accountable and responsible and do a better job," Mr Walton said.

Mr Dunne and Mr Walton said that commitment to strong community agencies was a cornerstone of United Future's policy, and that the party was very keen to work closely with voluntary social service providers to develop strong and detailed policies to ensure they had a more prominent role.

"Our plans for the more effective utilisation of the voluntary sector will be cost-effective too, because they will free up resources presently being duplicated, to be able to be used in other critical areas of need not being met at present."

"Our plans will be a win-win for the whole community," they say.

Mr Dunne says that United Future is also looking to increase significantly the personal tax exemption (presently up to $500) for donations to charities, and also an equivalent rebate to introduce an equivalent rebate to recognise voluntary time contributions to recognised community and voluntary agencies.

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