Result No Surprise
 
John Boscawen MP, ACT New Zealand

Thursday, August 20 2009

ACT New Zealand MP John Boscawen was tonight pleased – but unsurprised – that 87.6 percent the 1,622,150 Kiwis who participated in the Anti-Smacking Referendum citizens voted ‘NO’.

“New Zealanders have tonight made it clear that the Anti-Smacking law passed by National, the Greens and Labour is not working,” Mr Boscawen said.

"ACT has spent two years as the only Party in Parliament listening to the views of the public on this issue – which is why I have introduced the Crimes (Reasonable Parental Control and Correction) Amendment Private Member's Bill on behalf of ACT.

“This Bill is ready to go and Prime Minister John Key could introduce it quickly to Parliament as a Government Bill so that good prents are no longer criminalized.

“This Bill will specifically set out the conditions that a light smack for the purpose of correction can be used, stating that the use of force is defined as unreasonable:
‘if it should cause the child to suffer injury that is no more than transitional or trifling; or it is inflicted with any weapon, tool or other implement; or it is inflicted in any means that is cruel or degrading.’

“My Bill will stop the criminalising of good parents and give them certainty under the law.  New Zealand has spoken loud and clear and the Government must heed the call of an overwhelming majority of New Zealanders,” Mr Boscawen said.

ENDS

© Scoop Media