Judith Collins MP
National Party Families Spokeswoman

22 August 2005

Greens still confused about section 59

National Party Families spokeswoman Judith Collins says it is a shame the Green Party is still confused about the implications involved with repealing section 59 of the Crimes Act.

“Now we have legal advice from the Office of the Police Commissioner clearly stating that ‘smacking of a child by way of corrective action would be an assault’.

“As a lawyer, mother and member of the Social Services select committee, I fully realise this could mean we will see good parents hauled into court for as little as a smack on the hand.

“National believes the focus should be on stopping child abusers, not on criminalising good parents trying to bring up their children,” says Ms Collins.

ENDS

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