Dunne slams 'hand-wringing' Opposition

United Future leader Peter Dunne today launched a scathing attack on Opposition critics of the Families Commission Bill who "a week ago in this House were falling over themselves to wring their hands with concern over the deaths of two young Wairarapa children".

"We listened to speech after speech about policy failure, about the lack of a total picture," Mr Dunne told Parliament at the second reading of the Bill.

"And just one week later, a measure to promote an over-arching approach to family policy; to provide proper advocacy for the family at government level; to promote parenting from early stages to grand parenting, and these people oppose it.

"There is a well known term to describe their behaviour, but I would prefer to call it naked political opportunism," he said.

"I have never heard reasons of such little substance raised to oppose an important piece of legislation.

"They spoke against the letter I sent to select committee submitters who were ignored by the Opposition parties - and that was devastating enough - but another reason for opposing the bill was that United Future and Labour have co-operated on it.

"That is how rare keeping an election promise is on that side of the House," Mr Dunne said.

"Others said that because no one had ever heard of it before United Future came along, they were going to oppose a good idea. Others were opposed because, supposedly, United Future is not the only party supporting families - although on their efforts on this bill, you could dispute that.

"Paltry excuses! A series of jealous, whining whingers so annoyed that we have made progress in promoting the interest of families and children in New Zealand.

"Well, out there in the New Zealand community there is a widespread feeling of support for this move; there is a concern for state of the New Zealand family and the way that it is dealt with by government," he said.

The Commission, particularly with it policy role, will play a significant part in making sure future government decisions are constructed with a view to what is best for families.

"The economy, education policy, these things are abstract.

"If they do not result in a good outcome for the children and families of New Zealand then they are essentially meaningless," Mr Dunne said.

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