22 August 2008
Smacking petition must be held this Election
Family Party leader Richard Lewis says he is elated that the smacking petition has achieved the required number of
signatures to force a referendum.
"We, along with many thousands of other New Zealanders have contributed towards this petition and are elated that it
will finally have its day. I am convinced that the outcome of this referendum will see the law returned back to its
original position, which protected decent loving parents from being criminalised when applying responsible corrective
discipline with their children. It's apparent that the only ones who don't understand the difference between a
responsible smack and abuse are the politicians," says Mr Lewis.
The Family Party collected signatures towards the petition and on one occasion collected over a thousand signatures in
one day at Manakau.
"The overwhelming response from the public has been in opposition to the view taken by many MP's. The Prime Minister
must allow the referendum to take place at this Election so the law can be sorted out before any other parents are
unjustly criminalised," he added.
The Family Party aims to reinstate Section 59 of the Crimes Act, which affords parents the right to apply responsible
corrective discipline.
ENDS