Undecided Voters Influenced by Smacking Policy

SMACKING LAW STILL STRONGLY REJECTED - POLL

A poll has found that more than one in four (27%) undecided voters say they are more likely to vote for a party pledging to amend the anti-smacking law.

The poll also found that almost three out of four voters want the anti-smacking law amended, and the support is strongest from NZ First, National and Labour party voters.

In the poll of 1,022 people undertaken by Curia Market Research, respondents were asked “If a political party promised that amending the law to allow light correctional smacking was a non-negotiable policy at the next general election, wouldthat make you more likely to vote for them, or less likely, or make no difference to your likely vote?”

Overall, 19% of respondents say they are more likely to vote for a party promising to amend the anti-smacking law and 14% less likely.

What was most significant was that of undecided voters, more than one in four (27%) of the undecided voters said they are more likely to vote for a party pledging to amend the anti-smacking law, and only 8% less likely.

“Undecided voters could determine the final make-up of Parliament, and they are sending a clear message to political parties that their policy of fixing the anti-smacking law will be a potential vote winner,” says Bob McCoskrie, National Director of Family First NZ.

Respondents were also asked “Do you think the anti-smacking law should be changed to state explicitly that parents who give their children a smack that is reasonable and for the purpose of correction are not breaking the law?”

Overall, 72% of respondents backed a law change, with only 22% supporting the current law, and 6% unsure. In 2013, the support for a law change was 77% and in 2012 it was 63%.

80% of National supporters favour a law change, as do 69% of Labour supporters. The only supporters against a law change are Green party supporters.

“Politicians probably hoped that the opposition to the anti-smacking law would eventually disappear, but this poll simply reiterates that seven years on – and despite the government and the authorities masking the real effect of the law and its implementation - the law is seen of no real value, and any political party who promises to fix the law will benefit in the polling booth,” says Mr McCoskrie.

The nationwide poll was carried out during April and has a margin of error of +/- 3.2%.
READ the full Poll Results
ENDS

© Scoop Media