MEDIA RELEAS E
14 November 2008
Children’s Commissioner Survey Says Nothing New
Family First NZ is welcoming a Children’s Commissioner survey which says that only 20% of those surveyed disagreed with
smacking in certain circumstances.
“This is consistent with all other polls done throughout the year including research commissioned by Family First –that
there is an 80% opposition to the anti-smacking law because most people know that smacking for the purpose of correction
is not child abuse,”says Bob McCoskrie, National Director of Family First NZ.
“The 43% support for the law change would include a large number of people who are optimistic about the police
discretion clause introduced at the eleventh hour.”
“However, recent evidence suggests that their optimism may not be justified. Only yesterday, a father who was charged
with smacking had all charges dropped just before the court case was due to start.”
“This is not the first time this has happened,”says Mr McCoskrie. “And there has also been plenty of evidence of good
parents being convicted, investigated and reported as a result of a law that the authors and supporters cannot
definitively tell parents as to whether smacking is, isn’t, has been or hasn’t been banned as a result of the law
change.”
However, Family First is concerned that only 80% said that children should be protected from assault.
“This figure should be 100%. But the Children’s Commissioner has simply caused confusion by misrepresenting the effect
of the law and the difference between assault and a light smack.”
“This is yet more wasted government funding on information that has told us nothing new, done by an office trying to
justify its existence,” says Mr McCoskrie.
Family First is calling for the Families Commission and Children’s Commission to be replaced by a Minister of Families
in Cabinet.
ENDS