For immediate release
Wednesday, 18 December 2002
Regrettable dissension in NZ First caucus revealed
United Future's family spokesperson, Judy Turner, today called on the New Zealand First caucus to end its internal
feuding and make up its mind what its real policy is concerning the Families Commission.
"I regret New Zealand First's spokesperson, Barbara Stewart, has raced into print saying the establishment of the
Commission is a fine idea but it won't work," says Mrs Turner.
"To quote her, "This move is a political sop to United Future and we do not believe that it will achieve anything."
"Yet Mrs. Stewart's own caucus colleague, Dail Jones, is so enchanted with the concept he even stole United Future's
entire family policy and submitted a private member's bill last September to hasten the establishment of a Families
Commission."
Mrs Turner said it would be helpful if Mr Jones and Mrs Stewart could have a chat together so that the public could get
the real policy of NZ First towards the Commission, which is already attracting enthusiastic support from academics, and
family groups like the Parents' Centre and Plunket.
Ends