the Section59 blog

It's ok to smack - PM

2009-12-09T14:04:00.000+13:00

The Prime Minister John Key announced to the country yesterday that it is now ok to smack.Let me quote his words from the NZ Herald. "Lightly smacking a child will be in the course of parenting for some parents and I think that's acceptable. It is up to individual parents to decide how they're going to parent their children ... Some people will continue to lightly smack their child for correction

Notice

2009-12-05T00:04:00.000+13:00

The last post beginning, "I am so sorry I didn't inform you about my trip to the UK for a program..." appeared on the blog through a glitch in the system and has now been deleted. Apologies for any inconvenience.

Vote With Your Feet: 21 Nov

2009-10-23T10:15:00.000+13:00

Dargaville Meeting on the Anti-Smacking Referendum

2009-10-12T11:06:00.013+13:00

Peter in Dargaville was so incensed at the governments response to the last referendum that he organised his own community meeting. He invited John Boscawen, Larry Baldock and Bob McCoskrie to speak, as well as John Carter, his local MP.After the meeting Peter wrote to John Carter belowDear JohnWe had a very well attended meeting of 62 people at Dargaville last night and it is a shame that you

Leaked Referendum Night Speech - John Key

2009-10-02T12:55:00.000+13:00

a reader sent in the following leaked speech from National Party headquarters... I can't tell you how good it is to be here. Ladies and gentlemen – today New Zealand has spoken. In their hundreds of thousands across the country they have voted for change. And I can tell you there will be a Change of the Anti-Smacking law! So let me start by thanking every New Zealander who has cast their

2009-09-06T08:22:00.014+12:00

Boscawen Challenges Local MPs To Front John Boscawen MP, ACT New ZealandDID YOU VOTE “NO” IN THE ANTI - SMACKING REFERENDUM?Do you think National and Labour should listen to you?ACT MP John Boscawen has a Private Member’s Bill to amend the law so that it is clear that a light smack as part of good parental correction is no longer a criminal offence.National and Labour have said they currently

Key Knows it's Bad Law

2009-09-05T11:23:00.001+12:00

Section 59 is a complete and utter dog’s breakfast

2009-09-04T15:42:00.002+12:00

The Prime Minister has acknowledged that the current Section 59 is a complete and utter dog’s breakfast. He did so in an interview with Michael Laws on RadioLive at about 11:40 am on Friday, 4 September.Mr Key might be good on financial matters but he has little idea how the law should work in a democracy. He will not be Prime Minister forever. Another government might tell the police to

Yes We Can't!

2009-09-01T07:51:00.003+12:00

I got sent this poem the other day which succinctly sums up S59 and the governments latest window dressing! Yes We Can't We have a law which says you can'tBut we say why can't we As parents do what we know best In our democracy. To smack a child is not assault When c'rection he demands. It's for his good we lay the hand; A better law commands. But Nanny says you

87.6% Vote NO

2009-08-21T23:44:00.000+12:00

cross-posted from Star Studded Super StepShould a smack as part of good parental correction be a criminal offence in New Zealand? New Zealand says NO. While an average of polls taken since 2005 indicate a 82.9% level of opposition to the law, tonight's preliminary response blows those polls out of the water. It's official, 87.6% of Kiwis believe that there is a difference between a smack and

Who is murdering the children?

2009-08-21T11:56:00.006+12:00

The initial excuse for Bradford, Clark and Key’s anti-smacking legislation was the number of children killed or seriously abused. It has now been acknowledged that this law will not reduce the number of children killed or seriously abused. One would hope that the Ministry of Social Development would do some genuine research into the real causes of child abuse. I do not think it would be too

Wife Starving Law: If it Doesn't Work We Will Change It

2009-08-18T18:48:00.000+12:00

cross-posted from Scrubone's blog. This just in: An Afghan bill allowing a husband to starve his wife if she refuses to have sex has been published in the official gazette and become law. The original bill caused outrage earlier this year, forcing Afghan President Hamid Karzai to withdraw it. But critics say the amended version of the law remains highly repressive. They accuse Mr Karzai of

Great Comments from the Vote No site

2009-08-05T21:35:00.001+12:00

Steve Meikle (Christchurch) The thinking behind Sue Bradford's bil is sloppy, lazy and utterly self righteous. She cant distinguish between smacking a child and beating it to death? It is liberalism gone haywire, which is a shame for I loathe the Right with passion, yet on this Bradford's madness has forced me to agree with them. Something I hate being put in a position of having to do... I

Painfully Simple

2009-08-01T12:57:00.001+12:00

Gotta love the Vote No campaign's latest full page advert that went out in major daily newspapers just recently...Check out their excellent website: www.voteno.org.nz. Leaves the yes vote blog thing for DEAD.

Obama Has Got it Right...

2009-07-22T02:16:00.001+12:00

Why can't John Key get the idea?

Invite to Bob McCoskrie’s talk on the coming referendum

2009-07-17T19:56:00.005+12:00

Why the Referendum Answer is No

2009-07-04T21:56:00.010+12:00

For those who want to give John Key the message that you know how to parent your children better than he does Bob McCoskrie, National Director, Family First will be guest speaker at Rodney Hide’s Constituent Forum.The details are below.Rodney Hide Invites You To His Constituent ForumTheme: The “anti smacking referendum”Friday 24 July, 5.30pmMecca Café , Cnr Remuera Road and Nuffield Street,

VOTE NO !!

2009-06-22T14:33:00.001+12:00

New Zealand will have its say in an upcoming referendum on the 'Anti-smacking' law.The question that will be asked is "should a smack as part of good parental correction be a criminal offence in New Zealand?"I ask you to vote NO for 2 reasons.1, Good parents needs protecting. The law passed by Sue Bradford wasn't about stopping child abuse, it was about getting rid of parental authority in the

Genuine Abuse Ignored

2009-06-14T17:11:00.002+12:00

Here is yet another case of CYF and the police failing to take action when a child is seriously abused.Teacher's pleas for abused child ignored 4:00AM Sunday Jun 14, 2009By Rachel Grunwell Social Development Minister Paula Bennett wants answers after social workers took four months to remove a wheelchair-bound boy from his home following allegations he was was being beaten, burned with cigarettes

Skewed View of Parenting from Yes Vote Campaign

2009-06-04T15:24:00.000+12:00

The Yes Vote campaign has some advice for parents on their little blog... Parenting tip: Nip anger in the bud... take steps to control your own rage. rage: noun. Violent, explosive anger; A fit of anger. Heck, how many parents do you know who rage with anger against their children? Whether they act on that rage is beside the point: what would cause parents to be filled with rage against their

Vote No Blog Launched

2009-06-04T12:19:00.000+12:00

The Vote No blog has been launched... A must-read if you want to stay up to date with news on the referendum.

John Boscawen's Private Member's Bill

2009-05-20T11:44:00.004+12:00

The following bill would add some clarity for parents. The poorly reported case of Jimmy Mason who was convicted for assault on a child does nothing to clarify matters. We do not know whether he was convicted for flicking his son’s ear which is technically assault or punching his son in the face.Crimes (Reasonable Parental Control and Correction) Amendment BillMember’s BillExplanatory noteThe

ACT - Mt Albert by election

2009-05-04T10:54:00.001+12:00

ACT is the only party in Parliament which opposes the anti parental correction legislation. Before the last election I knew ACT opposed this legislation. However, I was unsure what priority ACT would give to amending this anti family law. A short while ago John Boscawen made it clear ACT was serious about restoring parental rights with his private member’s bill.If like the majority of voters

Sue Reid: Smacking laws were never about the real issue of child abuse

2009-04-16T15:35:00.001+12:00

This in the NZ Herald today.It is a shame that we have a Families Commission that is driven by ideology rather than listening to families.Chief commissioner Jan Pryor espouses her beliefs that "positive parenting should never include a smack" (Herald, April 3).Her so-called justification for the anti-smacking laws are inflammatory and continue to vilify good parents who may use a smack as part of

The NZ ‘anti-correction law’ and the referendum – your ‘unemotional’ guide to Section 59’.

2009-04-15T08:25:00.001+12:00

A very simple question

2009-04-15T01:51:00.000+12:00

cross-posted from Big News, 14 April 2009 Bill English was asked on Radio Live today whether a smack should be allowed as part of good parental correction. He was asked at least six times. Here's the transcript. It's a classic. Radio Live Breakfast Show - 14 April 09 INTERVIEWER: The Labour Party seemed to have amended their position on Section 59, the smacking legislation. What do you think?

Ammendment to Fix Bradfords "anti-smacking" law has been introduced

2009-03-19T11:11:00.001+13:00

Amendment To Fix Broken Anti-Smacking LawFrom the ACT party website ACT New Zealand MP John Boscawen today announced that he will introduce a Private Member's Bill to amend the controversial Anti-Smacking law inflicted on New Zealanders by Labour and the Greens in 2007. "My announcement coincides with yesterday's release of a poll that shows widespread support for

2009 Research, 83% NZers say Change Smacking Law

2009-03-18T14:46:00.001+13:00

Press Release, Family First, 18 March 2009Almost two years after the passing of the controversial anti-smacking law, more than 80% of NZ’ers still want the law changed and 77% say that the law won’t have any effect on our unacceptable child abuse rate.These are the key finding of research commissioned by Family First NZ, following on from similar research in 2007 and 2008. The Curia Market

A story of two Helen's

2008-10-31T16:28:00.001+13:00

How should one vote to change the anti-smacking legislation?

2008-10-26T17:02:00.003+13:00

Andy has started a topic Christian Vote 2008. He starts a new blog for it and lists his recommendations for how Christians should vote. This blog is about Section 59 and restoring parental authority so I will say how I am likely to vote and why and recommend how others - Christian or not should vote to restore parental authority. I will be voting on one issue and one issue only and that is

Christian Vote 2008

2008-10-23T02:27:00.000+13:00

...just launched.

Bid to ban smacking fails in the Commons - UK

2008-10-09T10:26:00.003+13:00

This from the Christian Institute in the UK"A back-bench attempt to ban smacking has failed to secure a vote in the House of Commons. A last minute amendment to change the law was tabled just two days before the Children and Young Persons Bill was due to be considered by MPs. However, there was limited time for debate on the Bill and the amendment was not reached.Government research has found

"Smacking Not an Offence" - Bradford

2008-09-29T21:01:00.002+13:00

Family First Press Release, 29/Sept/08 - read entire article here.In a stunning turnaround, Green MP Sue Bradford has told parents that smacking is not a criminal offence and implied that groups like Barnardos, Plunket, Every Child Counts and politicians who have said that the aim of the law was to ban parents physically punishing their children are misleading the public.In a media release from

Herald Singing a Different Tune Now

2008-09-29T20:44:00.000+13:00

The Herald's Editorial on 28 May 2008 read "Spare us a smacking referendum". In the article they state: "Why, then, is Mr McCoskrie's group unable to let this unpleasant subject rest? Why is a petition circulating to put the issue to a referendum that could be held with the general election this year? The public must be heartily sick of this non-issue. Smacking children is simply not worth

to heck with mum and dad... vote for me

2008-09-28T16:55:00.001+13:00

Invercargill: 83% Want Anti-Smacking Law Repealed

2008-09-24T00:11:00.001+12:00

A survey by Invercargill MP Eric Roy shows a majority of Invercargill residents want to bring back smacking and ban cellphone use in cars. The survey was sent to 21,500 homes in Invercargill and asked questions on issues from health to a passenger train service. Almost 12,000 responses had come back and random sampling had been used to come up with statistics, Mr Roy said. A total of 83

Sue Bradford's Democracy

2008-08-27T17:39:00.002+12:00

83% of Kiwis think the Anti-Smacking Law is a bad law.Sue Bradford doesn't care what you think.

Government's Stance on Referendum Arrogant

2008-08-25T01:41:00.001+12:00

Press Release: Family First, Saturday, 23 August 2008Family First Slams Govt’s Desperate Delay Tactics on ReferendumFamily First NZ says the government is guilty of being arrogant, hypocritical and patronising by suggesting that the Referendum on the anti-smacking law cannot be organised until mid-2009.“The government is yet to announce the date of the general election involving the two-vote

OPEN LETTER TO JOHN KEY

2008-08-24T15:58:00.004+12:00

JOHN KEY’S SECRET AGENDAAt the end of the article is an interview by John Key in GayNZ. This article shows Key‎’s very liberal attitude and his lack of respect for those with more conservative views particularly if they are Christian.Here is a man who is willing to support homosexuals adopting children yet is prepared to undermine parental authority. The undermining of parental authority is the

The Press on the Referendum

2008-08-23T18:10:00.003+12:00

I'll just quickly run over this article and make a few comments in bold.Petition earns referendum on `child-smacking' law - The PressNew Zealanders will be asked to vote on the so-called anti-smacking law next year.So-called? Well, that was what the Green Party called it initially. Parliament's Clerk of the House said yesterday that a petition organised by Christian political activists had

Family First: Success on Referendum

2008-08-22T16:02:00.000+12:00

Family First Media Release 22 August 2008 NZ’ers Deliver Strong Message on Anti-Smacking Law Family First NZ is welcoming the success of the petition demanding a Referendum on the flawed anti-smacking law. “To reach the required 285,000 signatures is difficult enough, but the final result shows that an extra 25,000 signatures have been attained. This is evidence of just how strong the

Clerk Confirms: Referendum to go Ahead

2008-08-22T14:20:00.001+12:00

Kiwi Party Press Release2pm, 22 August 2008Kiwi Party Leader and CIR Petition organiser Larry Baldock welcomed the news today that the petition has been certified by the Clerk of the House of Representatives to have achieved sufficient signatures to force a referendum on the question, “should a smack as part of good parental correction be a criminal offence in New Zealand?” “This is great news

Ear-Flick Dad on Trial for Assault Charges

2008-08-21T22:17:00.000+12:00

From Christchurch Court News, Media access has been blocked for all evidence at the depositions hearing of child assault charges against a Christchurch professional musician, James Louis Mason. The preliminary hearing was held before Caroline Kellaway and Percy Acton-Adams, Justices of the Peace, in the Christchurch District Court today, and Mason was committed for trial. But the JPs refused

Smacking Debate Continues in Australia

2008-08-12T01:38:00.004+12:00

The debate on child-discipline rages on across the Pacific in Australia. Below are a few excerpts from an article www.thedaily.com.au..."Outlawing parental smacking of children could lead to family break ups and brand parents as criminals. Brisbane criminal defence lawyer Tim Meehan has released a statement arguing against the recent push to make “excessive” smacking of children illegal

Sheryl Savill on the Petition

2008-08-12T01:31:00.003+12:00

Sheryl Savill has written a column at the New Zealand Centre for Political Research on her involvement with the Anti-Smacking Law petition. Below is an excerpt from that article,"I am not normally one to get involved in politics or public demonstrations. But when I realised how the anti-smacking bill would directly affect the way I was

Unity for Liberty: Petition Count Report

2008-08-12T01:22:00.000+12:00

Below is an excerpt from an email received from Unity for Liberty, regarding the status of the Anti-Smacking-Law petition signature count... All is looking good for the referendum. The scrutiny is now complete and is just waiting for the statistician to come up with his magic answer. The good news is that the results are almost identical with the first scrutiny, which means the result should be

Kiwi Party lays down it's policies - Anti smacking law gone by lunchtime

2008-08-09T14:58:00.001+12:00

This from the NZ HeraldKiwi Party leader Larry Baldock today announced his party's first five priorities for action they work on after this year's general election."Our number one priority is, of course, to stop the criminalisation of good parents by repealing the anti-smacking law," Mr Baldock told his party's national conference in Auckland."This has to be the most anti-family socially

Wales: Smacking Ban Must be Slapped Down

2008-07-30T15:11:00.001+12:00

This article just in from www.walesonline.co.uk (hat tip, Family Integrity) I'm told there are moves in Parliament to bring in a Bill to outlaw smacking. If they succeed, I will again oppose it, which seems odd when I abhor smacking and long for a world in which every child is free from fear. The reason for my objection is "mission-creep", that insidious disease which overtakes too many pieces of

Parents Assaulted with Bogus Smacking Prosecutions

2008-07-28T19:54:00.000+12:00

Family First on Bradford Comments

2008-07-28T12:33:00.000+12:00

Vigilance needed still on child abuse (should read Vigilance needed to keep smacking banned!) Otago Daily Times 26 July 08 The repealing of section 59 of the Crimes Act was not "100% safe" (TRUE) and it was important to stay vigilant, Green Party MP Sue Bradford told those attending the Children's Issues Centre national seminar in Dunedin yesterday. "There is still an ongoing political battle

Misleading Stats Used by Anti-Smacking Lobby

2008-07-26T18:32:00.001+12:00

A press release just out from Family First sheds some light on the misleading statistics regarding the effects of an anti-smacking law in Sweden that were copiously refered to by the anti-smacking lobby, prior to the passing of the bill. "...A document circulated on behalf of Barnadoes, Plunket, Save the Children, Children's Commissioner and EPOCH in 2006 stated that "In Sweden, the average

Police Priorities Skewed

2008-07-18T20:54:00.002+12:00

Simeon and I are pleased to welcome Chuck Bird onto the blogging team on the Section 59 blog. Below is Chuck's first article. (An email to Leighton Smith, radio talkback host)I received the following email yesterday. Exclusive Child HARD-CORE ! Young and innocent little boys and girls, 8 - 13 years old.Come also see new videos with small girls!I have not included the website references.I called

Canada to Criminalise Smacking

2008-07-17T13:46:00.002+12:00

The Suburban from Quebec, Canada reports on the passing of an Anti-Smacking bill."Recently, the Senate passed a bill that will eliminate the section of our criminal code that allows the use of “reasonable” force in order to correct a child’s behaviour. In the media it’s been dubbed the anti-spanking law and judging from the comments on websites that are reporting this development, many Canadians

There's that 83% Again

2008-07-14T23:08:00.003+12:00

...it just won't go away. www.littlies.co.nz is currently running a poll asking the following question:One year on, do you think the anti-smacking Bill has proved to be effective? Yes (8%) No (83%) Unsure (9%)

Anti Smacking Law Wastes CYF Time

2008-07-11T01:39:00.002+12:00

Family First Press Release, 8 July 2008Family First NZ says that the evidence is in that CYF’s limited resources are being wasted, with a ‘blow-out’ in CYF notifications but the levels of actual abuse not increasing, or at worst not being caught.“This is perfect proof that the ideologically flawed anti-smacking law has resulted in unwarranted reports of good parents which is a waste of the

"Don't Follow NZ" Warns Aus Lawyer

2008-07-01T18:17:00.002+12:00

This article in from The Brisbane Times, emphasies my own.Anti-smacking laws to punish Queensland parents who used "excessive force" to discipline their children could be too hard to prosecute, a lawyer has warned. Moves by the Labor Party to toughen its stance on smacking were made at its state conference earlier this month, with suggestions the practice would eventually be outlawed. But

Call for a Parents' Liberation Movement

2008-06-30T18:01:00.001+12:00

Here's a quote from an article entitled Why we need a parents' liberation movement, on www.spiked-online.com, which is so relevant for us in New Zealand today. 'Lecturing or hectoring' parents has become the only vocabulary in town, as parents are sternly instructed that they will be issued with Parenting Orders if their children play truant too much, drink too much, or generally behave '

National and the Referendum

2008-06-28T22:35:00.005+12:00

"We support the Referendum but...We will ignore it anyway. Hahaha"from www.stuff.co.nz

Where does John Key and National stand on the "anti-smacking" law?

2008-06-26T15:29:00.002+12:00

Bob McCoskrie has sent out an email explaining John Key's and National's position on the "anti-smacking" law.We have been asked on a number of occasions where does National stand on the anti-smacking law, and will they change it if elected as the government. Here's the answer... Nats won't change child-discipline law, says KeyThe Press 26 June 2008 National Party leader John Key has ruled

"prime minister smacks of arrogance" - John Key

2008-06-24T15:54:00.002+12:00

With the numbers looking right for a referendum on the "anti-smacking" law to be given the go ahead the PM is getting nervous.She said to the NZ Herald this morning "Just in terms of sheer organisation, I do not think that is possible".But John Key is fighting back in the name of democracy saying "the referendum should take place at the general election in 2008 and quite frankly the behaviour of

Why do Anti-smackers get violent?

2008-06-16T15:10:00.003+12:00

During the final days of collecting to get a democratic referendum on the "anti-smacking" law a disturbing story comes through from North Auckland.This from Stuff.co.nzAnti-smakers lose their cool By GEMMA REDDELL - Rodney Times | Thursday, 12 June 2008Anti-smacking supporters got violent at a gathering of signatures for the Citizens Initiated Referendum campaign last Saturday. Whangaparaoa

Final push going well

2008-06-14T08:26:00.003+12:00

The final push to get enough signatures on the petition calling for a referendum on the "anti-smacking" law is well under way with 1000's being collected over the past week.Here are a few results,Warriors game on Friday the 6th of June 1100WWE Smack down last Wednesday delivered 600Mystery creek field days brought in 2700 on Thursday and 1800 yesterday. Results for today will come out later

Fwd: Police get new powers in domestic incidents

2008-06-11T09:46:00.001+12:00

The police are soon to be issued with the authority to issue "safety orders" for up to 72 hours, in cases where domestic violence is suspected - but there is not enough evidence to make an arrest. This is a blatant attack on our freedoms, as it ignores our long-held principle that people are innocent until proven guilty. Watch, as this new piece of legislation is used together with the newly

Should be an Anti-Bashing Law

2008-06-11T09:27:00.004+12:00

I was out with the team in Auckland today, collecting signatures for the petition calling for a referendum on the Anti-Smacking law. We got a huge response first outside Westfield Mall and then Britomart, on Queen Street.Eighteen-year-old Bailey and her friends stopped to sign. She had this to say..."They should have made an anti-bashing law, not an anti-smacking law" This threw me - such

Wales Holds Out Against Smacking Ban

2008-06-10T21:48:00.001+12:00

an excerpt from an article in the Western Mail (http://icwales.icnetwork.co.uk). Selection in bold of particular interest. Click here to read the entire article. "THE Children's Commissioner for Wales believes the Westminster Government is stopping young people gaining the rights they deserve.Together with the commissioners for England, Scotland and Northern Ireland, Keith Towler will this

France Leading the way in Pro-Family Legislation

2008-06-05T20:29:00.001+12:00

Thursday June 05, 2008 by Bruce Logan from the NZ Herald website.Living in France, particularly in the south, has tended to reinforce the impression that smacking is not an old-fashioned and unenlightened activity at all. Indeed a number of mythologies one absorbed in New Zealand have dissolved. The French are not arrogant, they are not bad drivers and the children are not cheeky.Nevertheless, it

It's about the Right to Parent, not Right to Smack

2008-06-04T18:06:00.001+12:00

Family First Media Release 4 June 2008 The NZ Health Survey released today confirms that parents are not using smacking as a 'first measure', and the huge opposition to the anti-smacking law is not based on parents demanding the right to smack – it is based on simply the right to parent effectively and appropriately. The government survey shows that less than a third of primary

Poland: Hitting children is bad, Smacking is not

2008-06-03T18:01:00.001+12:00

from www.polskieradio.pl 02/06/2008 The majority of Poles are in favour of a legal ban on hitting children, but at the same time they don't see anything wrong in an occasional smack, a poll published in Rzeczpospolita reveals.The daily writes that the shocking news of child abuse that have recently shaken Polish public opinion and the government's declarations that spanking children will be

Poland: "Hitting children is bad,Smacking is not"

2008-06-03T17:59:00.000+12:00

TVNZ poll shows Majority of Kiwis Still Opposed to Anti-Smacking-Law

2008-06-02T20:48:00.005+12:00

Update - 4 June 08: Outcome of poll" Do you think the anti-smacking law should stay?"Yes: 12%No: 85%Click here to view the poll resultsTVNZ is currently running a poll on their website, asking" Do you think the anti-smacking law should stay?"Currently 17% of voters think that the law should stay - and 79% think that the law should not stay. This has been my experience when

LET'S BRING THIS PUPPY HOME

2008-05-30T16:09:00.000+12:00

2 WEEKS TO GO - TO MAKE THEM LISTEN The GOOD NEWS is that in 2 weeks we won't be sending you any more emails about collecting signatures for the petition on the anti-smacking legislation. Yay!!!! The NOT SO GOOD NEWS is that the deadline to collect the remaining number of signatures to absolutely ensure that the Referendum happens is in 2 weeks . Our target is 370,000 signatures to ensure

The Press Finds Child Abuse Amusing

2008-05-29T23:39:00.004+12:00

Bring back Garrick Tremain. Moreu is a...I don't read the Press - but was informed of the political cartoon for today. I feel sickened by it. Still, it raises the profile of the petition, and gets people talking - and that is good.

"NZ Herald editorial reeks of arrogance!" Kiwi Party Press Release

2008-05-28T19:22:00.001+12:00

Press Release, The Kiwi Party, May 28,2008Responding to the NZ Herald editorial this morning, Petition organiser & Kiwi Party leader Larry Baldock said the author's opinion would change rapidly if they were a parent and had just received a visit from the Police or CYFS. "The author is right about one thing and one thing only. The law change has made no difference to the awful rates of child abuse

Herald Launches Attack on Democracy

2008-05-28T19:00:00.001+12:00

The headline for the editorial in the NZ Herald today reads "Spare us a smacking referendum". The story is utterly biased in favour of the minority of Kiwis who support the law, and as Bob McCoskrie of Family First says, "an extraordinary attack on Family First NZ and signatories to the petition demanding a Referendum on the anti-smacking law." Below are some excerpts from the poorly-researched

Kiwi Party pledge anti-smacking law will be gone by Lunchtime

2008-05-26T19:06:00.001+12:00

Monday, 26 May 2008, 9:56 am Press Release: The Kiwi Party CIR Petition organiser and Kiwi Party Leader Larry Baldock said the latest poll commissioned by Family First and revealed in the NZ Herald today, continues to dash the hopes of anti-smacking law supporters that good Kiwi Mums and Dad's are ever going to accept the Governments interference in their parental authority. "Rather

Smacking Poll - Kiwis Don't Want to "Move On"

2008-05-26T18:08:00.004+12:00

Press Release 26 May 2008More than half of our mums with young children flouting the law A year after the passing of the controversial anti-smacking law, opposition to the law change is growing. These are the key finding of research commissioned by Family First NZ, following on from similar research in 2007. The poll surveyed 1,018 people and found continued overwhelming opposition to the new

"If you don't sign you can't complain"

2008-05-24T15:27:00.000+12:00

If You don't sign the petition calling for a referendum on the "anti-smacking' law then you can't complain about the law at present.With just over 1 month till we have to submit the petition back to the Clerk of the House to check for validity, NOW is the time to sign in order to have some democracy over the "anti-smacking" law.Please go NOW to www.unityforliberty.net.nz and print it sign it and

Debate on the Anti-Smacking Law

2008-05-22T01:03:00.002+12:00

On 21 May 2008, Bob McCoskrie (National director of Family First), Beth Wood and Ian Hassle (former Children's Commissioner), authors of the book entitled "unreasonable force: nz's journey to banning physical punishment of children" are interviewed on the Good Morning Show (TV1) by host Sarah Bradley.Below are some excerpts from the interview - which can also be viewed by clicking here. comments

14yr Old's Satire Exposes Anti-Smacking-Law Folly

2008-05-20T02:08:00.001+12:00

from www.familyintegrity.org.nz | Concern Over Proposed 'Garden Laws' The upcoming anti-pruning bill is ridiculous! New Zealand's garden party heads this campaign to stop all plant abuse and stick up for plants' rights. Laws against starting destructive fires and wantonly chopping down plants and trees already exist, rendering this change unnecessary. Replacing the old bill, which justifies the

MP's Should Get Real on Child Abuse

2008-05-16T23:43:00.001+12:00

Press Release: Family First, Thursday, 15 May 2008, 9:08 am 300,000 more signatures were submitted today on a 2nd petition demanding that the government tackle the real causes of child abuse including family breakdown and domestic violence."This is in addition to the 350,000 signatures already collected on the 1st petition calling for the scrapping of the

A Note from Larry

2008-05-16T23:34:00.001+12:00

Today is of course the 1st year anniversary of the passing of the anti-smacking law. We have collected over 350,000 signatures on Sheryl Savills petition and have handed in approx. 296,000 signatures on my petition to understand and address the wider causes of family breakdown, family violence and child abuse. I suggest we all have a drink of whatever we enjoy, or eat some chocolate, or do

Child Abuse Petition Submitted

2008-05-15T00:40:00.004+12:00

Press Release: The Kiwi Party - May 14 2008. I will add a few comments in bold.Time for a new approach on addressing family breakdown, family violence and child abuse“Today marks the end of 14 months of collecting signatures for a CIR petition in my name to request a referendum on the question, ‘should the Government give urgent priority to understanding and addressing the wider causes of family

Families Commission Launches Hypocritical Campaign

2008-05-13T22:58:00.005+12:00

"Parenting. The best day's work you'll ever do" reads the large (tax-payer funded) advert at the Bus-stop. And who else would it be, but the Families Commission to give this message to New Zealanders as they drive around the city.Ironic doesn't even begin to describe the hypocrisy of it. First they back the bill calling for the disempowerment of the majority of Kiwi mums and dads - and then

Repeal Section 59 - the Facebook Group

2008-05-13T22:49:00.002+12:00

Just a quick note. A Facebook Group has been started, calling for the repeal of Section 59."Kiwis don't want Sue Bradford's Anti-Smacking Law. Join this group to show your support for a repeal of this new anti-parental-authority law."Click here to join.

Statistics NZ Email Explains Counting Process

2008-05-09T23:22:00.001+12:00

"Why did the Clerk say that the petition calling for a referendum on the Anti-Smacking Law was short by 15,500, when we had expected it to be short by approximately 3,000 signatures?" This is the question many people have been asking. You would have thought that the Clerk would have issued a press release, explaining the process used to make the calculation. One of the political bloggers in New

Anti-Smacking Law, One Year On

2008-05-03T00:01:00.005+12:00

One year ago, on 2 May 2008, Sue Bradford's Anti-Smacking Bill passed it's third reading. The bill had the numbers to pass, however the entire National party turned 180 degrees and all National MPs were forced to vote in favour of the bill.Just hours before, John Key and Helen Clark had come to an agreement for a "compromise" on the bill. ACT Party leader, Rodney Hide had this to say, on 3 May

Anti-Smacking Bill Hits California

2008-05-02T19:37:00.003+12:00

The latest news in from California...A proposal in the California Legislature that would define a well-deserved spanking administered in love by a concerned parent using a rolled-up newspaper as child abuse – and could send that parent to jail – now is facing a delay. The plan, AB 2943 by Assemblywoman Sally Lieber, D-San Jose, is a rerun of her same plan that was defeated a year ago. She has

Timaru Herald Editorial Mouthpiece for Anti-Freedom Government

2008-05-01T13:36:00.000+12:00

By Simeon, with notes by Andy [A]The Timaru Herald published an editorial today slamming the petition calling for a referendum on the "anti-smacking" law as a "a sideshow". The editorial then goes on to say that Sue Bradford's comment telling opponents of the law to "move on" is actually popular opinion.But this article is wrong in the assumptions that it is making. Firstly it says that "

Confusion over Petition Audit Cleared Up

2008-05-01T01:20:00.001+12:00

The No Right Turn blog explains how the Clerk came up with his figure of 269,500 (a shortfall of about 15,000) - when we were expecting 282,067 (a shortfall of about 3,000). The Government Statistician checked 29,501, and found that 25,754 (87.3%) were valid. Multiply that proportion by the 324,511 and you get 283,294 - just 1,733 signatures short of the number required. So why does the

Action Alert - Petition on Anti smacking law - From Family First

2008-04-30T10:37:00.000+12:00

WHAT THE MEDIA HAVE BEEN SAYING TODAY REGARDING THE ANTI-SMACKING REFERENDUM " Smacking law petition fails to gather enough valid signatures " TV3 news site" The opponents of the "anti-smacking" law are being told to move on, as their petition calling for the repeal of the legislation change does not have enough valid signatures to force a referendum." - NewstalkZB" Smacking opponents told to

Count on Anti-Smacking Petition Labelled ‘Incredibly Dodgy’

2008-04-29T23:32:00.001+12:00

Family First Media Release 29 April 2008 HUNDREDS OF PETITION FORMS DOWNLOADED TODAY Family First NZ is labeling the counting of the signatures on the anti-smacking petition as 'incredibly dodgy'. "Despite a very thorough audit of a sample of signatures, the government statistician has applied a further margin of error against the number of signatures," says Bob McCoskrie, National

Clerk Reports on Petition: 20,000 signatures to go

2008-04-29T15:21:00.003+12:00

"Smacking law petition fails to gather enough valid signatures" screams the headline on the TV3 news site.NewstalkZB picks up the story, picking up on comments from Sue Bradford, the Green MP who introduced the Anti-Smacking bill. "The opponents of the "anti-smacking" law are being told to move on, as their petition calling for the repeal of the legislation change does not have enough valid

Petition calling for referendum on anti smacking law fall shorts by about 15000

2008-04-29T12:48:00.007+12:00

This from Stuff.co.nz My comments in italicsOrganisers of a petition to force a smacking referendum have been dealt a major blow after failing to gather enough signatures. No it is not a "major blow" we have two more months to make up the difference. They now have two more months to collect enough signatures. The petition needed 285,027 (Stuff stuffed up and got the wrong number in there

Clearing up Confusion over Referendum Process

2008-04-28T12:41:00.005+12:00

As per my last post, there is obviously a level of confusion over the future of the petition calling for a referendum on the Anti-Smacking Law. Below I have a copy of the Referendum Process from the Parliament website (you can download a PDF version by clicking here). I have added some comments to the chart. I'm just focussing on the top petition question,"Should a smack as a part of good

Referendum Scaremongering from the Media

2008-04-26T16:10:00.003+12:00

"Thousands of pro-smacking signatures invalid" - blares the headline on the NewstalkZB website. Firstly, it is absolutely normal in any petition, for a percentage of signatures to be declared invalid. Secondly, what is this reference to "pro-smacking signatures?" The question asked on the petition, "Should a smack as a part of good parental correction be a criminal offense in New Zealand" is

Petition calling for referendum on "anti-smacking" law results unclear

2008-04-24T16:21:00.001+12:00

It is unclear whether we have gained enough signatures on the petition calling for a referendum on the 'anti-smacking' law to have it put on the ballot paper.The Kiwi Party leader put out this press release explaining the results.Kiwi Party Leader and anti-smacking petition organiser Larry Baldock confirmed today that the preliminary results from Sheryl Savill’s petition to force a referendum on

Anti-Smacking Law Now Proved to Criminalise Good Parents

2008-04-10T23:31:00.001+12:00

Family First Media Release 10 April 2008 Family First NZ says that the charging of a Glen Innes man which was subsequently dismissed in the Auckland District Court today is evidence that good parents are victims of the anti-smacking law, a law which has done nothing to stem rates of real child abuse. "The lawyer representing the father is agreeing with Family First's original assertions that

UK: Couple turned down as foster parents for smacking policy

2008-04-10T23:25:00.001+12:00

this from www.somersetcountygazette.co.uk 9 April 2008 A Christian couple have been barred from fostering because they occasionally smack their own daughter as "a last resort". David and Heather Bowen, of Whitmore Road, Taunton, say they would never smack a foster child. But they were rejected because of their discipline policy for their own child, Emma, 9. Mrs Bowen, 47, a volunteer helper at

Anti-Smacking Bill hits California

2008-04-06T01:58:00.001+13:00

This from www.mensnewsdaily.com April 4, 2008 California Assemblywoman Sally Lieber has introduced AB 2943 to outlaw spanking children up to 3 years old in California. It is identical to last year's AB 755, which drew national attention. The bill will ban "any striking of a child, any corporal punishment, smacking, hitting, [or] punching." The penalties in the bill, which can be

Hypocrisy from Peter Dunne

2008-03-18T15:53:00.000+13:00

Hypocrisy Again From Mr Dunne Peter Dunne is in trouble after saying that the people should decide in a referendum on MMP. This is very inconsistent as he would hate to see a referendum on the "anti-smacking" law.Larry Baldock picked up on it and put out this press release._____________________________________________________Peter Dunne is reported in the Dominion Post as saying it is "time for