From the press room
UnitedFuture conference vision
UnitedFuture leader Peter Dunne says his party has a bold vision for New Zealand’s future.
“We want New Zealand to become the world’s first genuinely multi ethnic, multi cultural nation, where our children are as at home with Pacific, Asian and European worlds as they are with our own bicultural heritage,” he told delegates at the Party’s election year conference at the Martin Hautus Pacific Peoples Learning Institute in Onehunga.
Mr Dunne said this was an obvious extension of UnitedFuture’s strong commitment to parents, families and communities.
“While UnitedFuture represents the true centre of New Zealand politics, that is not enough by itself to gain the ongoing support of New Zealand voters.
“We have to show them our centrist message is relevant, contemporary and dynamic.
“Being respected as the sensible, moderate family party which can be relied on to work well the government of the day is undoubtedly worthy, but it is no longer enough to grab the attention of voters.
“We have to demonstrate that we are more than just a safe pair of hands, and that we are also a party of new ideas, developed out of listening to the voice of the community, and not old rigid ideology telling people how to live their lives,” he said.
Mr Dunne said New Zealand was on the cusp of great change and UnitedFuture had to show voters it was ready to be part of that.
“Our commitment to parents, families and communities is about their needs in the early 21st century, not about the way things used to be.
“We are about moving forward, not looking backwards, and we will work with the government the people choose to achieve our goals,” he said.
Mr Dunne also took the opportunity to announce key UnitedFuture policies:
• Cutting the top tax rate to 30 cents, and reducing other rates;
• Referenda on the future of MMP, the Maori seats, and the Head of State;
• The development of a national health insurance plan to cover quicker access to elective surgery and funding high cost medicines.