21 August 2009

Referendum result inconclusive

Green Party MP Sue Bradford said it is hard to draw any conclusions from tonight’s physical discipline referendum results based on such a flawed question.

“Even though people care passionately about the issue, just over half of eligible voters cast votes. When you add the yes vote and the spoilt vote to the number of voters who didn’t vote at all the figures are about even.”

Ms Bradford attributes this inconclusive result to the referendum question being so flawed with its mixed and ambiguous messaging that even many supporters of the s59 law change mistakenly voted ‘no’, while some people who oppose the current law voted ‘yes’.

All four police reviews have already shown that the law is working well as Parliament intended, and the Government has previously said it will continue to support the law, Ms Bradford said.

“With New Zealand facing such difficult economic times, many Kiwis felt annoyed at the confused nature of this referendum question and the waste of $9 million worth of taxpayers’ money this represents.”

“I would have a much greater respect for the referendum result if it was based on a clearer question. 

“It is important that ‘no’ voters realise the law stands, and tonight’s referendum result does not mean they can now hit children.”

Ms Bradford said she was honoured today to receive the New Zealand Psychological Society’s prestigious Public Interest Award for her Member’s Bill to repeal Section 59 of the Crimes Act and for her work in fighting poverty and unemployment.

She chose the Child Poverty Action Group as her charity of choice to receive her $500 “Public Award”.

“The Award is an honour but I would like to stress that I stand beside 112 other MPs who passed this landmark law.

“There was also a huge amount of work put in by community organisations and church groups. It was an achievement of Parliament and the community working together.”
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