ACT New Zealand MP John Boscawen today expressed disappointment at Prime Minister John Key’s announcement that, regardless of the result of the upcoming anti-smacking referendum, there would be no change to the law.
“It is unfair for Mr Key to make such a dismissive statement before the referendum has even been held. Referendums are an important part of many democratic countries’ legal systems – frequently used to decide important questions of public policy and as such ACT supports the upcoming referendum,” Mr Boscawen said.
“With all the recent media attention it would be a shame if the issue of how the question is worded overshadows the real issue that needs to be addressed.
“The anti-smacking law was promoted as the answer to New Zealand’s shocking rates of child abuse and resultant deaths. This has not happened – and over the past two years since the controversial anti-smacking law came into effect a total of 13 children have been killed as a result of child abuse in New Zealand.
“Child abuse was already illegal before the anti-smacking law was passed. Abusers were already breaking the law, and they continue to do so – yet, as a result of the anti-smacking legislation, good parents who lightly smack their child for the purpose of correction are now technically criminals.
“While the police have discretion not to prosecute, the reality is that the parent is breaking the law. How can this Government expect the public to have respect for the laws it passes when it condones the police not enforcing them.
“Contrary to what some would like us to believe, the vast majority of New Zealand parents are decent and loving – and, as such, do not need the Government butting in and telling them how to raise their children.
“That is why I have introduced my Crimes (Reasonable Parental Control and Correction) Amendment Bill – which I hope will be drawn in the ballot tomorrow. Parents should be trusted to raise their children into the successful and upstanding citizens that we want them to be,” Mr Boscawen said.
Tags: anti-smacking