Media statement
For immediate release

Thursday, 12 September 2002

United Future defends support for Social Security (Personal Development and Employment) Amendment Bill

The National and New Zealand First parties have today shown why New Zealand needs a sensible, centrist party like United Future New Zealand in Parliament, according to the United Future family affairs spokeswoman, Judy Turner.

During debate on the Social Security (Personal Development and Employment) Amendment Bill, both Opposition parties claimed the Bill was anti-family and therefore United Future MP’s should vote against it, especially considering their leader, Peter Dunne, had voted against the Bill in the previous Parliament.

“Mr Dunne was an Opposition MP in the last Parliament and it was perfectly reasonable for him to oppose the Bill then. In this new Parliament, I have been given party responsibility for overseeing family matters and I have consulted closely with the Government on the Bill,” said Mrs Turner.

“As a result of that careful consideration of the Bill, I have concluded that it is not, as the Opposition alleges, anti-family. Indeed, it provides greater flexibility for the progression of those on the benefit back to the workforce and therefore I have persuaded my colleagues it is legislation worth supporting.”

Mrs Turner said the outcry from National was not motivated by principle but by the party’s extreme bitterness at the treatment it received from the voters at the election.

“And New Zealand First is bitter because it improved its numbers in the House, but ruled itself out of being involved in Government by what the Prime Minister described as ‘daft policies’” she said.

“It is sad to see these parties substitute political rancour for sensible thought when it comes to considering important legislation,” said Mrs Turner.

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