Media Statement

Hon Peter Dunne

MP for Ohariu

Leader of UnitedFuture

Tuesday, 22 March 2011

Dunne Backs Children’s Commissioner on Helping Parents

UnitedFuture leader Peter Dunne has welcomed Children’s Commissioner John Angus’ call for parents to be helped to stay at home to raise very young children, saying UnitedFuture is the only party with policy that backs parents to do that.

“Only UnitedFuture has a policy that back parents choosing to have one of them stay home and look after the children if they choose to,” Mr Dunne said.

Income Sharing will allow couples with children under 18 to combine their income and split it for tax purposes, reducing their overall tax bill. Up to 310,000 New Zealand families stand to benefit on average by $1000 to $5000 a year, with some families by up to $9000.

He said the Income Sharing Bill is currently with Parliament’s Finance and Expenditure Select Committee.

‘If people agree with the Children’s Commissioner; if they want to have greater flexibility in their family income to have one of them look after their own children, then they should get behind this important piece of legislation.

“Every political party claims to be family friendly these days, but if they will not back a piece of legislation that specifically helps families in a practical way then those claims are just empty words,” Mr Dunne said.

ENDS

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