Tuesday, 20 July 2004

Salvation Army Welcomes New Families Commission

The new Families Commission is a step in the right direction toward strong advocacy and support for New Zealand families, said Salvation Army National Social Policy Research Director Major Campbell Roberts.

The Families Commission was launched at Parliament yesterday. It will encourage informed debate on family issues, comment on family-related policies and commission research about families.

Major Roberts said that families are a fundamental institution of society. ‘The future strength of New Zealand depends on the strength of our social structures,’ he said. ‘The family is one of our most important social structures and its continued good health is vital to the future well-being of society.’

The Salvation Army is confident the Families Commission’s six Commissioners, under the leadership of Chief Commissioner Dr Rajen Prasad, will achieve strong advocacy and support for families.

Major Roberts said that a variety of Government agencies were already strongly advocating economic policy. The addition of the Families Commission gave some assurance that areas of social policy affecting families will have an equally strong voice.

‘We hope the commission will concern itself early with promoting research and policy on economic and social areas of the national life that currently make New Zealand families vulnerable,’ said Major Roberts.

ENDS

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