Bill assumes all parents ‘beat’ their children
Thursday, 26 April 2007, 10:26 am
Press Release: www.familyvalues.net.nz
PRESS STATEMENT FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Mass gathering at
Parliament Grounds
Wednesday 2nd May at
12.30pm
www.familyvalues.net.nz
25 April 2007
Anti
smacking bill assumes all parents ‘beat’ their
children
Organisers of next week’s mass gathering
at Parliament Grounds to oppose the anti-smacking Bill are
disappointed that John Key has not been able to negotiate a
positive outcome with the Bill’s author, Green MP Sue
Bradford, but are not surprised.
“Supporters of the
Bill are working from the basis that they believe all New
Zealand parents are child beaters. The message Government is
sending to parents is that they simply cannot be trusted to
raise their own children and the State can do a better job.
Well we think the vast majority of kiwi parents will
disagree,” say the organisers.
Repealing section 59 of
the Crimes Act will expose parents to criminal prosecution
should they lightly smack their children in circumstances
normally deemed reasonable and appropriate. The Bills
supporters argue that police will not prosecute in such
cases, which raises a fundamental question – why introduce
a law they have no intention of enforcing?
“The police
and CYF’s will be duty bound to investigate such matters,
regardless of whether a prosecution eventuates or not. And
it is the judicial system that determines guilt, not the
police. So this Bill by its very nature will put all New
Zealand parents at the mercy of the State, which is a very
scary prospect,” add the organisers.
To that end, a
mass gathering at Parliament Grounds is being organised for
Wednesday 2nd May at 12.30pm to oppose the anti-smacking
bill. Speakers include Bishop Brian Tamaki, Pastor Peter
Mortlock, Wellington Reverend Mike Weitenburg and former All
Black and Wellington Hurricanes Captain Bull Allen.
Event
details can be viewed on www.familyvalues.net.nz
ENDS
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