11 June 2002

United Future leader, Hon Peter Dunne, says yet again the New Zealand family is being ignored.

He says the speculation over election timing seems to be taking every other possible factor into account except the well being of the New Zealand family.

"From Paintergate, to the teachers' dispute, from GE to Labour's poll ratings, commentators have pontificated mindlessly about the impact all these will have on the timing of the election."

"The one group left out of the equation - as usual - is the solid, hardworking, often uncomplaining New Zealand who is simply too busy getting on with life to be distracted by all this nonsense."

"All they know for sure is none of the commentators or the major parties have any interest in fronting up to the fact that family break-up is costing New Zealanders currently $5.7 billion a year, and leading to a more socially dysfunctional society," he says.

Mr Dunne says United Future will be standing up fearlessly for the New Zealand family whenever the election is called.

"We will be promoting family friendly policies including:

* a Commission for the Family to ensure all government policies meet family needs;
* income splitting for tax purposes for parents;
* more support for agencies like Plunket
* improved access to early childhood education

because of our profound belief that when the family is strong, the nation will be strong once more."

"We are prepared to work with any parties who are committed to this agenda of making New Zealand the best place in the world to raise a family again," Mr Dunne says.

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