THE FAMILY PARTY

PRESS STATEMENT FOR RELEASE

11 August 2008

Labour gearing for more social engineering

Family Party leader Richard Lewis says he is not surprised at revelations by Labour’s Minister of Social Development Ruth Dyson of Labour’s intention to further minimise the traditional family unit if re-elected.

In a May speech to Victoria University social policy students, Dyson said, “shifting the focus from social welfare to social development is about considering the wellbeing of the whole population, and communities within that population, rather than solely focusing on the traditional family group. We must cater for the diversity we know exists. By this I mean the range of relationships from single, couples, triples, blended, de facto and so on. That’s where we’re going with social policy,” she said.

Richard Lewis describes the statement as purposefully ambiguous but best understood in the context of prior revelations from senior Labour MP Tim Barnett, who said their intention was to create a new 21st century expression free from traditional or religious presumptions.

“Labour’s Civil Union Act set a precedent for affording legal status to relationships based purely on the preferences of minority or special interest groups. Here Ruth Dyson signals Labour’s intention to broaden that scope even further, to possibly include polyamorous relationships. Lets face it, the precedent makes it legally doable,” says Mr Lewis.

He says social policy that minimises the role of the traditional family unit is a recipe for disaster but has been a hallmark of the Labour-led Government.

“Family breakdown and a political disregard for traditional family values are underneath the rise in child poverty, crime and social dysfunction in our communities, particularly amongst children and young people. Government must come back to the basics and afford the traditional family unit the respect and protection it deserves,” says Mr Lewis.

He adds, “Labour’s track record of social engineering is the best indication of where it intends to go if re-elected. Government would do well to start respecting and celebrating the immeasurable contribution the traditional family unit makes to our country. The Family Party aims to bring a far more positive attitude towards families and traditional values in Parliament.”

ENDS

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