15 June 2005
Destiny New Zealand Opposed to Anti-smacking Law

Destiny New Zealand leader Richard Lewis says the proposed anti-smacking law is another example of overbearing state intrusion on parental rights and responsibilities.

"Repealing the Section 59 (Crimes Act) defence of 'reasonable force' will mean parents have no protection from the State when responsibly disciplining their own children.

This is a very dangerous move and yet another example of how out of touch this government has become with the realities of everyday family life," says Lewis. He pointed to statements made by Ruby Harrold-Claesson, President of the Nordic Committee for Human Rights, who said that a similar law change in Sweden had contributed to a massive 18,000 children in foster care.

Parents were now too afraid to administer reasonable physical discipline for fear of losing their children to the State. Mr Lewis acknowledged that there are genuine cases of abuse where children needed protection but believes repealing section 59 would not address the issue but rather place loving, law-abiding parents at risk of being criminalised.

ENDS

© Scoop Media