Wednesday, 1 September 2004

Copeland backs BRT family analysis

United Future Revenue spokesperson, Gordon Copeland, says the executive director of the New Zealand Business Roundtable, Roger Kerr, has got it completely right when he comments on the undesirability of the government gambling against the traditional family.

“I agree entirely with Mr Kerr that the international evidence is clear, namely that on average, children in two parent families have lower rates of mortality, accidents and child abuse than those raised by one parent.

“They do better at school, have better health, higher incomes and less relationship breakdown as adults. They have by far and away the lowest level of participation in the criminal justice system.”

Mr Copeland said “As Roger Kerr points out, this is not a criticism of sole parents, many of whom do a great job of raising children in less than ideal circumstances.

“But if government keeps the common good of our nation as a whole firmly in its sights, then it should be reviewing features of our current tax and welfare policies, and of family law, that may be conducive to family breakdown and the resultant single parenthood.

“This should lead us to the patently obvious conclusion that government policy needs to focus on children and their need for love and care and stability within a family based on a mother and father.

“This simple but fundamental shift in government policy will yield rich long-term dividends both for our children and the future strength and prosperity of our nation,” said Mr Copeland.

ENDS

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