Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Government running scared on Referendum
Gordon Copeland Press Release
For Immediate Release
Tuesday, 26th August 2008
Government running scared on Referendum
Independent MP Gordon Copeland today said that the Government is running scared of the successful petition on the criminalisation of good kiwi parents for smacking their children.
In Parliament Mr Copeland attempted to move a motion congratulating Larry Baldock, Leader of the Kiwi Party, and his team on collecting over 390,000 signatures to force a referendum on the question “Should a smack, as part of good parental correction, be a criminal offence in New Zealand?” However Deputy Prime Minister, Michael Cullen, immediately objected to kill the motion.
“It is now crystal clear that the Government is hacked off by the success of Sheryl Savill’s petition,” said Mr Copeland.
“Obviously they had banked on kiwis falling for their anti-smacking nonsense and are now embarrassed to discover how deeply parents resent their meddling.”
“But the people are not so easily fooled and the chickens are now coming home to roost.”
“If the Government continues to insist on shelving the petition until a postal ballot in 2009, they will further alienate many of those in their traditional support base.”
“It is time to return to representative democracy. It is time to listen to the voice of the people.”
ENDS
Gordon Campbell: On The Coalition’s Awful, Not Good, Very Bad Poll Results
Government: Streamlining Building Consent Changes
Koi Tu - The Centre for Informed Futures: If Not Journalists, Then Who?
FIRST Union: May Day, The Biggest Threat To NZ Workers In 2024 Is Our Government
Green Party: New Unemployment Figures Paint Bleak Picture 
Labour Party: National Should Heed Tribunal Warning And Scrap Coalition Commitment With ACT
Government: Saves Access To Medicines
