From the press room
UnitedFuture promises choice & security for families & communities – 2008-10-12
At his party’s campaign launch in Onehunga this afternoon, UnitedFuture leader Peter Dunne reaffirmed the party’s commitment to parents and families.
“We support parents and families for one simple reason – whatever their shape or size, they are all the building blocks of our communities.
“Our policies are aimed at ensuring every New Zealander has the chance to enjoy all that is good in our society, regardless of their circumstances,” he said.
Mr Dunne said no other political party shared UnitedFuture’s commitment to New Zealand families.
“National is too focused on the free market, and reducing the role of government – while Act is even more extreme – to serve the needs of families.
“Labour’s overly centralised and prescriptive approach – aided and abetted by the Greens – reeks of a suffocating, ‘we know best’ approach that simply turns people off.
“Neither government grouping would do anything for families, because both would be far too focused on ideological purity and vested interests.
“We stand for a different type of politics where ideas, not ideology matter; where families and communities come first; where we respect each other’s dignity and freedom, and our common responsibilities; but, where above all, we listen, we discuss, and then we act,” he said.
Mr Dunne said UnitedFuture’s campaign would emphasise that:
- Families deserve a decent standard of living
- Bold tax reform policy (cutting taxes to 10% on income up to $12,000; 20% to income between $12,000 and $38,000; and, 30% on income above $38,000)
- The option of income splitting for parents with dependent children.
- Every child deserves the best start in life
- Promoting shared parenting;
- Extending paid parental leave to 12 months;
- Establishing one stop shop family service centres;
- Ensuring playcentres and other parent-led groups get the same support that teacher-led organisations currently get from 20 hours free early childhood education.
- The Health Service must meet people’s needs
- A free “warrant of fitness” health check each year;
- Making better use of public and private hospital capacity;
- Guaranteeing everyone over 65 access to elective surgery within 6 months
- Investigate developing a national health insurance scheme to give everyone access to the high cost medicines and hospital services they need.
- Every New Zealander can shape our country’s future
- Holding referenda in the next three years on the future of MMP, the Maori seats, and the Head of State
- Making New Zealand the world’s best multicultural nation
- Boosting people’s access to the great outdoors.
- Zero fees for all tertiary students to boost skills development and quality education.