For immediate release

Wednesday, 18 December 2002

Regrettable dissension in NZ First caucus revealed

United Future's family spokesperson, Judy Turner, today called on the New Zealand First caucus to end its internal feuding and make up its mind what its real policy is concerning the Families Commission.

"I regret New Zealand First's spokesperson, Barbara Stewart, has raced into print saying the establishment of the Commission is a fine idea but it won't work," says Mrs Turner.

"To quote her, "This move is a political sop to United Future and we do not believe that it will achieve anything."

"Yet Mrs. Stewart's own caucus colleague, Dail Jones, is so enchanted with the concept he even stole United Future's entire family policy and submitted a private member's bill last September to hasten the establishment of a Families Commission."

Mrs Turner said it would be helpful if Mr Jones and Mrs Stewart could have a chat together so that the public could get the real policy of NZ First towards the Commission, which is already attracting enthusiastic support from academics, and family groups like the Parents' Centre and Plunket.

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