Report On S59 Review Rubbish
John Boscawen MP, ACT New Zealand
Monday, December 7 2009

It is fitting that the latest report on the anti-smacking legislation is not worth the paper it’s written on – the law itself is rubbish and is an absolute waste of time and resources, ACT New Zealand MP John Boscawen said today.

"I was not surprised to find that this report contained nothing more than recommendations that will see more taxpayers dollars wasted on pointless bureaucracy," Mr Boscawen said.

"The report recommends the introduction of a parent support helpline, the publication of guidelines for social workers and a requirement for police and others to tell parents what to expect, what their rights are and what they can do when they want to question what is happening.

"Not one of these recommendations will do anything to address the serious problem of child abuse in New Zealand. Rather than addressing abuse, this law has become a circus – the hallmarks of which are endless costs, go-nowhere reviews, increased bureaucracy, and a huge waste of police resources.

"It shouldn’t be this difficult to make a law work. Rather than wasting even more taxpayers dollars creating ever-increasing levels of bureaucracy, National should adopt my Private Members Bill. Then, parents will have real certainty under the law," Mr Boscawen said.

ENDS

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