Voting History
N/A Family First Rating
Candidate Survey
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Marriage 1 Man/Woman – Support
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Oppose polygamy / group marriage – Oppose
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Encourage marriage – Support
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Role and support of parents – Support
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CYF Complaints Authority – Support
It is in the best interest of any organisation to have a system of checks and balances . CYF should not be any different to anyone else i.e. police, hospital boards etc. I acknowledge the intense nature of their work, the extreme pressure and lack of resources in a very emotive climate.
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Parental choice for education – Support
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Income Splitting – Support
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Decriminalisation of Abortion – Oppose
See comments on no. 9
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Unborn child right to life – Support
Whilst I believe an unborn child has a right to life, I acknowledge that historically woman have had to make difficult choices around abortion. I acknowledge the pain and emotional turmoil that often accompanies decisions based on medical advice, following violence, rape or in other similar situations. I would like to see central government funding available so that woman who find themselves in these difficult situations can receive counselling and an opportunity to discuss all the possible options to enable them to make an informed decision .
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Informed Consent for Abortion – Support
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Parental notification – Support
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Abstinence-based sex education – Support
Whilst abstinence based sex ed is preferred, I am aware that many young people have already 'experimented,' it would therefore be important to ensure that they are not made to feel like they have in some way 'failed.' I am also aware that not every parent is comfortable being the primary provider of their child's sex education. In many cases children/youth do not feel comfortable talking to their parents, especially where there has been abuse etc.
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Surrogacy – Undecided
I believe should surrogacy be legalised there would need to be strict medical/ethical controls.
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Embryonic stem cell research – Oppose
Where does life begin?
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Same sex couple adoption – Undecided
Research indicates that children do best in a home where there are biological parents (i.e. mum & dad, female & male); & in a loving/nurturing environment. It would be presumptuous to assume that two mums or two dads could NOT provide care to the best of their natural ability; in some instances they may be able to offer a more stable home than one where domestic violence etc.. is rife. Despite this, is adoption by same sex couples, neither of whom is the biological parent, in the best interests of the child - when we know that biological parents male/female are the gold standard?
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Decriminalise euthanasia – Oppose
I often refer to euthanasia as the 'slippery slope.' First those that are terminally ill and not expected to live long, then those that are taking up space/time/effort, then the disabled and unwanted. Who would have thought ten year's ago that we would be discussing decriminalising abortion - the slippery slope to genocide, infanticide. As an ex-terminal care nurse we have the technology available through our wonderful hospice system to ensure that most of those in pain/suffering are pain free and comfortable during their last weeks/days/hours. We should be supporting our terminal care services not making their role more difficult and spreading fear into the lives of those that are sick and elderly
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Full resourcing of palliative care – Support
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Decriminalise marijuana – Oppose
As a health care professional I have seen first hand the damage that marijuana can do, the impact on families, the decline in personal and family standards; when drugs mean there is no food, or crime pays for the drugs. We need our AOD services fully supported to deal to the increasing numbers of kiwis who get caught in the drug trap.
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Ban on residential brothels – Support
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Ban on street prostitution – Support
I am saddened that as a society we would consider legalising prostitution and adding it to the list of potential careers our children and grandchildren can chose on leaving school
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Criminalise buyer of prostitution – Support
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Improve broadcasting standards – Support
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Public Indecency – Support
We have an increasing problem in NZ with child abuse, prostitution etc. and we need boundaries in place to make sure that the views of the minority are not enforced on the majority. More importantly, our children need to know what is acceptable behaviour that will keep them safe.
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Billboard advertising – Support
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Raising drinking age – Support
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Alcohol law reform (5+ Solution) – Support
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Decriminalise smacking – Support
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Liberalise Easter trading laws – Undecided
Easter is 'special' in so many ways, however I understand that for many people it is nothing more than a long weekend. I personally would like to see it kept special but there are so many other 'battles' we must face that we need to choose wisely
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Regulation of loan sharks – Support
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Reduced gambling – Support
Gambling can be an addiction, it can have the same destructive power as alcohol or drugs; with negative outcomes on family life. Whilst gambling is is personal choice, I believe we need to take responsibility on behalf of our children and those that become discriminated as a result of chronic gambling. I also recognise that funds available to many not for profit organisations are dependent on pub charities for their existence.
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Welfare Vouchers for At-Risk – Support
In theory yes, but I suspect that even vouchers can be bought/sold. In the short term it is a good response to dealing with misappropriation of benefit money. In the longer term we need to be addressing why families need welfare vouchers and what can be done to support them out of the welfare trap.
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Binding Citizens’ Initiated Referenda – Support
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Paid parental leave (6 months) – Support
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Three strikes legislation – Support
