INDEPENDENT NEWS

Dr Kiro has a double standard once again

Published: Sat 5 Apr 2008 12:19 AM
Dr Kiro has a double standard once again, it is time for her to go!
In her Submission on the Summary Offences (Tagging and Graffiti Vandalism) Amendment Bill Cindy Kiro, the Children’s Commissioner said "It is my submission that solutions must be broader than the punitive and restrictive measures that are the basis for this Bill,"
"Legislation is only one of the tools that should be used for managing tagging and graffiti and New Zealand has some of the most innovative legislative processes for addressing the care and protection needs and offending behaviours of children and young people. I believe these processes, as well as existing provisions within the summary Offences Act, are already in place to deal with this matter.
Kiwi Party Leader, Larry Baldock said her submission amounts to support for acts of vandalism which cost this country millions of dollars. How out of touch with reality can she be?
This year she opposes the use of legislation to address a problem, while last year she saw no problem with Parliament using a legislative sledge hammer against good parents all over his country in a failed attempt to address child abuse. 80% of us were of the opinion that the Crimes Act and Sec 59 were already in place to deal with Child abuse, Dr Kiro.
In defending her position she said, “Most young people in New Zealand are not engaged in vandalism or bad behaviour.”
That is probably true, said Mr Baldock, but then most parents are not and never will be child abusers either, yet the Children’s Commissioner saw no problem with passing a law that affected all parents in an ill-conceived attempt to affect a few.
What all children need to hear is a clear message about the boundaries between right and wrong, the importance of respect for authority and other peoples property, and the Children's Commissioner seems simply too conveniently confused to be able to send that message.
Ends

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