Media statement
For immediate release
Thursday, 11 December 2003
Dunne lays down Families Commission challenge
United Future leader, Peter Dunne, today challenged all Opposition parties to confirm they would abolish the Families
Commission should they ever come to power.
Speaking during the final debate in Parliament on the law establishing the Commission, Mr Dunne said National, ACT, New
Zealand First and the Greens had been fierce in their condemnation of the Commission, citing spurious concerns over
spending and the growth of bureaucracy.
“In reality, of course, the only reason they have for opposing the Bill is because they know that this is
ground-breaking legislation in which United Future delivers on its election promise to help make the family the
cornerstone of New Zealand society.
“They also know that it would be political suicide for them to abolish the Commission in the future.
“United Future places such importance on this Commission that we undertake not to support any future Government that
will not support the Commission,” said Mr Dunne.
Ends