Dunne calls on Opposition to lift its family game

United Future leader, Peter Dunne, has called on the Opposition parties to put genuine effort into their commitment to the needs of New Zealand families.

The Families Commission Bill was discharged from the select committee and sent back to the House today, unchanged because the Opposition parties refused to make any serious efforts to take part in shaping the legislation.

"Sadly," said Mr Dunne, "it is becoming apparent that New Zealand First, ACT and National, despite recently announcing family spokespeople, are merely paying lip service to the needs of the family.

"By refusing to co-operate in the select committee, these parties have made a mockery of the process and have shown they have completely disregarded the evidence of witnesses and the time they gave up to appear before the select committee.

"They quibble over definitions and political dogma, while ignoring the fact that the New Zealand family is under serious pressure, with the resultant effects of increased welfare dependency, child abuse, poverty and joblessness.

"These are very serious problems, with massive adverse economic effects on the nation, but the Opposition parties would rather engage in obscure ideological debates over the nature of the family."

Mr Dunne said New Zealanders had every right to question the genuineness of the motives of the Opposition parties as they continue to bury their heads in the sand over family policy.

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