Continuing Lobby Against Anti Smacking Bill

An anti smacking Private Members bill was passed by 70 votes to 51 by the New Zealand Parliament on Thursday 22 February. The Bill was overwhelmingly opposed by the community which sees the proposed legislation as an attack on the family and parental responsibility to provide loving correction for their children. Should the bill pass it will make good parents criminals and subject to arrest.It was subject to intense lobbying by Christian and pro-family groups that sought the defeat of this dangerous and unnecessary bill. An opposition MP is seeking support for an amendment that would define what is reasonable force that a parent may use to discipline their child. These groups are committed to continue vigorous lobbying for the defeat of this bill. The bill is now expected to have its third reading in March.

Leading experts in New Zealand on child violence have said that this bill will do nothing to reduce violence against children. UNICEF in its report for 2007 stated “the likelihood of a child being injured or killed is associated with poverty, single-parenthood, low maternal education, low maternal age at birth, poor housing, weak family ties and parental drug or alcohol abuse.” If the New Zealand government is seriously concerned about child abuse why is it that it is not addressing these issues identified by UNICEF?

The Labour led government supports this bill and has withdrawn the right of Labour Members of Parliament to exercise their democratic right to vote according to their conscience. This action is outrageous, dictatorial and a violation of the democratic process necessary in a free and democratic society.

The government states that it is opposed to violence against children. Violence against children begins in the womb. How can the government that supports this controversial bill accept, sanction and fund the violent killing of more than 17,500 defenceless unborn children each year in our nation’s hospitals.

The tragic message the government is giving the community is that parents have a right to choose to kill their children before birth, but after birth may not smack them.

Ends

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