26 October 2001

The Greens, Families, Children And Cannabis

United Future leader, Hon Peter Dunne, says the Green's campaign for a universal child benefit is welcome step towards recognising the interests of children and families, but is really only half a step.

Mr Dunne, whose Party wants to introduce a homecare allowance for parents at home caring for pre-school children, says the real point to focus on is enhancing the primary role of the family in today's society.

"The real message we should be considering this National Children's Day is the steps we should be taking to empower parents in the upbringing of their children, and how we can best support them in that vital role."

"A universal child benefit is at best only a small part of that strategy, especially when promoted by the Greens."

"If we are truly serious about putting families and children centre-stage again, we would ensure every Government action was family friendly, and we would have a high-powered Commission for the Family, such as United Future is proposing, to do that, and to advocate for families and children."

"At the same time, we would stop second guessing our families and children through mixed messages and double standards."

"In this regard, the Greens have no credibility as friends of the New Zealand family so long as they continue their obsession with decriminalising cannabis."

"The single best thing they could do right now for families and children is take the opportunity of National Children's Day to announce they were dropping their pro-cannabis policy," Mr Dunne says.

Ends

Hon Peter Dunne
MP for Ohariu Belmont
Leader, United Future

UNITED FUTURE - FOCUSING ON FAMILIES More information at www.united.org.nz

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