Policy Overview

Becoming a parent is one of the most important, demanding and complex times in a person’s life. We must not give the impression that the government is any better than the rest of the population in meeting the challenge of family life. However, we do need to change the culture so that seeking advice and help when it is needed is seen not as a failure but the action of concerned and responsible parents.

United Future Will:

• Ensure the taxation system takes into account the costs of raising a family, Introduce income splitting for families Introduce a home carer’s allowance for parents at home caring for children under the age of five. Increase tax rebates currently available for child care costs. Interest freeze on student loan repayments for parents for the first two years of their child’s life. An adjustment to parents student loan repayment threshold, to better reflect the extra costs of child-rearing. Require the Inland Revenue Department ensures families fully access all tax rebates and family support entitlements.

• Promote culturally appropriate parenting programmes with a strong emphasis on child education, health and parental responsibility.

• Establish family service centres in communities where parenting and family support needs are greatest, with emphasis on local solutions for local problems.

• Increase support and encouragement for the voluntary agencies who provide services to help people prepare for marriage

• Promote family mediation services to offer support and guidance to marriages and partnerships in difficulty and appropriate counselling as necessary.

• Introduce a family literacy programme to enable parents to learn the essential skills necessary to understand much of the printed material encountered in everyday life.

• Offer incentives to providers of approved budgeting services so that families are able to access quality budgeting advice.

United Future Parliamentary Office: Bowen House, Lambton Quay, Wellington
Email: Phone: (04) 471 9410