Judith Collins MP National Party Pacific Island Affairs
Spokeswoman
20 February 2007
Pacific Island parents
concerned about smacking ban
National Party Pacific Island
Affairs spokeswoman Judith Collins says Helen Clark should
prepare for a backlash from the Pacific Islands community
given her support for a smacking ban.
"From the
conversations I have had with the Pacific community, it's
clear they fear the anti-smacking legislation will further
disempower them.
"Pacific families are traditionally very
strong and functioning. Pacific children comprise only 6% of
Child Youth and Family cases, yet parental discipline is
practised by many Pacific families."
"No political party
supports serious violence against children, but nor should
we back a law change that potentially makes criminals out of
otherwise responsible parents.
"The supporters of this
legislation claim police will exercise discretion when
deciding whether to prosecute. I'm not convinced that the
Pacific community takes any comfort from that sort of
assurance."
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