Media statement For immediate release Thursday, 22 February 2007

Anti-smacking bill demands CYF complaints authority

United Future deputy leader Judy Turner is warning that Child, Youth and Family staff will face a substantial increase in notifications following the section 59 repeal Bill passing its second reading.

“This Bill will increase the workload for CYF social workers who are already drowning in their workloads,” warns Mrs Turner.

“There is a real risk that attention to quality and sound decisions may at times be inevitably sacrificed in an attempt to reduce the number of unallocated cases.

“This likelihood makes a complaints authority even more essential, as it will allow cases to be reviewed and any errors or bad judgment calls to be put right.

“I know many parents are scared they could face losing their children if an over-zealous neighbour phones CYF to notify that they saw them smack their child over the fence.

“An independent complaints authority would at least give New Zealand parents an avenue for appeal if the unthinkable were to happen to their family – mistakes and bad judgement calls do happen.”

Hon Ruth Dyson announced in the House last Thursday that, “Following the advocacy and hard work undertaken by (Judy Turner), I have requested my officials to investigate a complaints authority for Child, Youth and Family as in my view the member has proven that it would have merit,”

“I’m delighted by this undertaking, but such an authority has more merit in light of the anti-smacking Bill passing its second reading - it’s an absolute necessity,” insists Mrs Turner.

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