United Future caucus rejects Care of Children Bill

The United Future caucus today decided to oppose the Government's Care of Children Bill.

The Bill, which seeks to update the legislation governing the guardianship and care of children, was recently introduced to Parliament and set down for first reading.

Party leader, Peter Dunne, said "While there are aspects of this Bill that we are in favour of, there are other provisions we cannot support.

"These include the wide-open definition of fatherhood and the brief time required before someone can become a child's guardian.

"United Future is acutely aware of the evidence that children do best when both mum and dad are involved in their upbringing, and we strongly believe the Care of Children Bill needs to focus on ensuring this happens, rather than creating new and potentially artificial legal relationships in respect of children.

"We are keen to sit down with the Government and work hard on getting the Bill right, because it has such important and far-reaching implications for the families of New Zealand," said Mr Dunne.

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