26 October 2007 Media Statement

Dyson gobsmacked at Hide’s hypocrisy

Act leader Rodney Hide’s comments today about violence are surprising and inconsistent, says Child, Youth and Family Services Minister Ruth Dyson.

“I am gobsmacked by the arrogance and hypocrisy of Rodney Hide’s statement today, considering he was one of the very few Members of Parliament to oppose the amendment to Section 59 of the Crimes Act.”

“The amendment to Section 59 removed a legal defence against a criminal charge of assault. I don't know of very many people in New Zealand who think it is OK to assault their own child and then have a legal defence to do so in court.”

“However Rodney Hide was one the eight MPs who voted against removing this legal defence for assault a few months ago.”

In his autobiography My Year of Living Dangerously, Rodney Hide said he had to learn how to fight when he was overseas and that he used it in politics: ‘You just had to be prepared to inflict maximum violence immediately and keep it coming. I was to use that tactic years later when I was first elected to parliament.’

“Rodney Hide should take a good look at his own attitudes to violence and assault before attempting to advise others,” says Ruth Dyson.

ENDS

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