Media statement
For immediate release
Monday, 19 February 2007

Dunne: Family violence a plague on NZ

United Future leader Peter Dunne says the weekend's tragic events like the stabbing of children in Naenae and violent attacks in south Auckland and Wellington call for prompt action from the Government.

"New Zealanders have become heartily sick of these outbreaks of violence seemingly every weekend..

"We have a Families Commission which the Government should urge to report back within a short time frame about the causes of domestic and street violence in New Zealand and what can be done about it as soon as possible," he says.

"The recent UNICEF report on how badly New Zealand treats its children is a cause for shame and should be seen as an incentive to lift our game as a nation and a community.

"United Future has always campaigned for creating a New Zealand that's a great place to raise our kids.

"The multi-party committee that was established last year appears to have achieved little but that is no reason to give up.

"I urge the government to get the Families Commission involved immediately and get some action underway," says Mr Dunne.

ENDS

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