"The absurd call from child health and safety advocates for all driveways to be fenced is vividly illustrative of exactly what is wrong with New Zealand today," says the frustrated Libertarianz Spokesman for the Deregulation of Health, Richard McGrath. "What we have here is a refusal to recognise that the absence of personal responsibility lies at the root of nearly every problem we face."

Researchers found that 77 children were hit in driveways over three years. Five died and 11 percent were injured or suffered long-term effects. "What is actually a lack of parental responsibility is transformed into yet another problem that can be solved only by legislation," McGrath observes.

"When legislation requiring compulsory fencing around every driveway in New Zealand is passed, who will pay for the compliance costs?" asks McGrath. "Not those living in rental accommodation and state housing, whose children made up 80 percent of the statistics, nor the over-zealous child and safety lobbyists. No, it will be the responsible, blameless majority who will be forced to pay yet again."

"Given that half of all Maori and Pacific Island infants living in South Auckland alone are hospitalised in the first year of their life, being injured in a driveway represents an infinitesimal proportion of a much greater problem. And that problem will never be solved until we recognise the role that parental responsibility plays. Blaming external circumstances and finding fault elsewhere is the cause - not the cure."

Mr. McGrath finishes, "the Libertarianz party understands that the flipside of freedom is responsibility. New Zealanders will never be free from the imposition of costly, ineffective, and Draconian compulsion until we grow up, ditch 'Nanny State,' and genuinely accept individual responsibility for our actions."

"It's enough to make you vote Libertarianz!"

ENDS

Dr Richard McGrath * Libertarianz Deputy Leader * Phone 025 2300 868 *
mongrel@contact.net.nz http://www.libertarianz.org.nz
http://www.libz.org.nz

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