Turner: Commission not just about needy families

The Families Commission will not just be about needy families, but about all families as they provide the context in which most of us live our lives, United Future's family affairs spokeswoman Judy Turner said today.

Speaking as the bill - a United Future initiative - returned to Parliament from the select committee stage, Mrs Turner said the commission had a broad focus, and would not be narrowed down to suit the agenda of its critics.

"Clearly it will address the raft of issues that relate to needy families out in our communities, however, it will not be solely about families in need.

"There is more to families than that. There are good things going on, and they will be encouraged and drawn upon as models of how families can work better.

"So, no, this Bill is not just about sad stories and needs; it is about building on the good as well as helping that which is not working," Mrs Turner said.

The commission will be charged with addressing a broad range of issues, and the ways in which they impact on families, and will have a broad scope: "I say again - we're not in the business of excluding people on the basis that other people in society think that they should be excluded.

"Families come in all shapes and sizes, and need to be given the means and opportunities to live their lives constructively and well," she said.

© Scoop Media