It was important children and young people were heard in the debate on the anti-smacking law, commissioner John Angus said in a story published in the New Zealand Herald (10/8/09).

Dr Angus said he had asked the Young People’s Reference Group a series of questions about the child discipline law and while they supported the law change, they said that information about it had been lacking.

The group is made up of young people who provide advice to the Office of the Children’s Commissioner on relevant issues.

One of the members, William, 16, said the law change removed ambiguity in the seriousness of offences.

“Maybe it’s time we listened to our youngest citizens,” he said.

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