Summaries of United Future's position papers are available by clicking a link below

GENETIC MODIFICATION   1. General Principles   2. Family   3. Education   4. Health   5. Finding Futures   6. Economy   7. Law & Order   8. Immigration   9. Electoral System 10. New Zealand Superannuation 11. Drug Abuse & Dependency 12. Golden Plan for Positive Ageing 13. Treaty Issues 14. Caring for Kids 15. Young New Zealanders 16. Information Technology 17. Environment 18. Transport 19. Arts & Culture 20. Local Government 21. Emergency Services 22. Foreign Affairs & Defence 23. Government that Works

United Future supports the vital role that volunteer and community agencies play in our society. These agencies often have the expertise, networks and strong community focus to deliver services most effectively, as the Royal Commission on Social Policy found. We believe that the key to a fully functioning and cohesive society is to break the welfare dependency cycle.

Voluntary Sector
United Future will:

• Ensure any proven, volunteer or quasi-volunteer and community agency or group that can show their work is cost effective for their community will be adequately funded.
• Increase personal tax rebate on donations to charitable organisations from $500 to $5000
• Focus on developing a supportive and mutually beneficial partnership between government and community and voluntary agencies.
• Require government departments to adopt a specific strategy for investing in the community and voluntary sector.

• Establish stronger links with the voluntary sector, so that they can work with welfare recipients to become self sufficient
• Offer assistance to help people recover from a setback quickly so they do not become long term beneficiaries
• Empower long term beneficiaries to rejoin the workforce
• Establish family service centres in communities where parenting and family support needs are greatest, with emphasis on local solutions for local problems
• Offer incentives to providers of approved budgeting services so that families are able to access quality budgeting advice.

• Establish a Commission for the Family to improve the co-ordination of government departments
• Improve accessibility and coherence in the early childhood sector, Plunket, PAFT, Public Health, Kohunga Reo, pre-school and primary school to allow for early identification of learning and social problems.

If you require more information about this or other United Future policies, please contact the United Future NZ Parliamentary Unit, Parliament Buildings, Wellington; email ; telephone (04) 471 9041.