Wellington, May 12 NZPA - Controversial figure Christine Rankin is surprised by, but intends to ignore, intense criticism of her appointment to the Families Commission.

United Future leader Peter Dunne called for Ms Rankin, a former Winz (now Work and Income) chief executive, to refuse the appointment announced by Social Development Minister Paula Bennett.

The commission was set up at Mr Dunne's behest as part of a post-2002 election deal with Labour.

He said the appointment was "grossly unsuitable', while Labour leader Phil Goff said he was astounded, calling her controversial and "divisive", and Greens MP Sue Bradford said it was a "form of political sabotage."

Ms Rankin said she would be accepting the appointment.

"I am surprised... I guess if you say things that upset some people or that people agree with you are going to be controversial," she told NZPA.

"Good heavens they must be really scared of my views."

Mr Dunne told NZPA Ms Rankin lacked the support of several political parties because she was "highly partisan" and closely linked to extreme conservative groups. He called her appointment "untenable" and "grossly unsuitable".

He thought her appointment would be disruptive to the commission's ongoing work. Ms Rankin was not reappointed as Winz chief executive after staging a conference with a price tag of $235,000 and other extravagant spending. She then lost a colourful legal challenge to her dismissal in 2001.

Since then she has maintained a high profile and was spokeswoman of For The Sake Of Our Children Trust, opposing Ms Bradford's anti-smacking bill, which removed the defence of reasonable force in child assault cases.

She also caused a stir calling former Prime Minister Helen Clark childless and saying Maori needed to face up to what a big problem child abuse was for them.

Mr Dunne raised his concerns with Prime Minister John Key and Ms Bennett but they decided to go ahead and appoint her.

It was reported Cabinet hotly debated Ms Rankin's appointment.

National was previously scathing of the commission but agreed to retain it as part of its post-election support agreement with Mr Dunne.

Mr Goff said he was astounded.

"She is obviously a very controversial and divisive figure," he told reporters," he said.

"She's attacked groups like Barnardo's and others that she will now be required to work with."

Ms Bradford said the Families Commission supported her bill and the appointment appeared a deliberate attempt to divide the seven commissioners.

"This amounts to a form of political sabotage," Ms Bradford said.

Ms Rankin said she had not been appointed to agree with everyone.

"I have a particular view and a passion for New Zealand children and families and I think I have a big contribution to make."

She said the MPs were entitled to their opinions. Her view was the sabotage allegation was "nonsensical" and Labour criticism meant nothing to her.

"(Labour) set out to destroy me a long time ago and I don't know that any of that's changed."

Ms Rankin said she stood by her criticism of the anti-smacking bill. She said parents were unnecessarily investigated and it created fear in the community.

"To me it was silly legislation in the first place; we've got a major child abuse problem. We don't need a smokescreen that takes us down the wrong road."

She did not regret her previous comments -- she said Labour made mileage out of one conference while she had made major savings at the department, Miss Clark did not have children and Maori did need to face child abuse issues.

"We need to stop being politically correct."

Mr Key said he considered Ms Rankin a safe pair of hands whose priority would be families.

"I think she brings vast experience, she has spent the past couple of years fighting for the rights of children, and in the area of child abuse, and I support her role to go on the Families Commission."

Ms Bennett said she had argued for the appointment.

Also appointed today was Bruce Pilbrow, chief executive of the advice service Parents Inc.

Lobby group Family First NZ welcomed the appointments.

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