Media Statement
12 May 2009

Hon Peter Dunne
MP for Ohariu
Leader of UnitedFuture

Dunne: Rankin appointment to Families Commission a mistake

UnitedFuture leader Peter Dunne says the appointment of Christine Rankin to the Families Commission is a mistake.

“Ms Rankin is simply the wrong person to be appointed to a body of this type.

“She is divisive and controversial and her appointment will be disruptive to the ongoing work of the Commission,” Mr Dunne said.

“The fact that her appointment was bitterly contested within the Cabinet, together with her fall from grace under the previous government, shows she does not enjoy sufficiently widespread political support to make her appointment tenable.

“In the circumstances, my strong advice to Ms Rankin is to decline the appointment, because her taking up this role will seriously undermine the credibility of the Families Commission,” he said..

ENDS

Super-Wards: Commission Proposes New Boundaries For Auckland

The Local Government Commission presented its proposals on the boundaries and representation arrangements for the new Auckland Council today.

Under the Local Government (Auckland Council) Act 2009, the Commission is required to determine boundaries for the new Auckland Council, wards and local boards, ward and board names and the number of members per local board. More>>