From the press room
Turner optimistic of paternity bill's passage – 2008-03-20
UnitedFuture deputy leader Judy Turner is optimistic her Member's Bill enforcing the right of fathers to have DNA tests performed to determine the paternity of their children will have the numbers to pass a first reading when it comes to the floor of Parliament.
"Preliminary calculations indicate the vote could be 65 for, 56 against, which would be a significant margin," she said.
"I regret the Minister Rick Barker is ignoring the advice of the Law Commission and claims my Bill is too narrowly focussed.
"But while the Minister and his bureaucrats cluster like blind bats in a darkened cave and make squeaky noises, the voice of the public is being heard loud and clear.
"The public want this change because they know
• Fathers have the right to know who their child is
• Children have the right to know who their father is and
• The taxpayer has the right to know that the social welfare system isn't being rorted by unscrupulous parents.
"It's time for this law change to take effect and the Minister should just hurry up and get on with it," said Mrs Turner.
Ends
Contact: Judy Turner MP
021 309 803
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