Tuesday, May 12, 2009



The ghost of the 90's

In its confidence and supply agreement with National, United Future secured a promise that the government would

Maintain the policy, research and advocacy role of the Families Commission...
Somehow, I don't think the appointment of former WINZ boss, childbeating advocate and celebrity racist Christine Rankin was what he had in mind. National will no doubt argue that it has kept to the letter of the agreement - the commission will continue in its role; it will just change from being a neutral advocate of all New Zealand families in their many forms to being a government-sponsored voice for the hardline Family First / Destiny Church married-heterosexual-breeder-childbeater view - but that is not a recipe for a happy coalition relationship. But I guess National doesn't think it needs Peter Dunne that much. After all, they can always get a majority with ACT...