Archive for the news Category
August 2, 2009
The New Zealand Herald’s Political Editor Claire Trevett reports on how MPs will be voting in the referendum. The overwhelming majority of MPs will either vote YES or abstain, and only five said they would be voting no.
Of particular interest is Chester Borrows, who “had supported the petition to force the referendum before the compromise law was passed in 2007 – said he would not vote and did not believe the law should be changed.”
VOTING YES
Labour: Steve Chadwick, Charles Chauvel, Kelvin Davis, Darien Fenton, Parekura Horomia, Moana Mackey, Su’a William Sio, Maryan Street. Progressives: Jim Anderton.
United Future: Peter Dunne.
Green Party: Sue Bradford, Keith Locke, Kennedy Graham, Metiria Turei, Russel Norman, Jeanette Fitzsimons, Sue Kedgley, Kevin Hague, Catherine Delahunty.
Maori Party: Te Ururoa Flavell (if votes), Hone Harawira, Rahui Katene.
NOT/ PROBABLY NOT VOTING
National: David Bennett, Jackie Blue, Chester Borrows, David Carter, Judith Collins, Chris Finlayson, Tim Groser, Nathan Guy, Tau Henare, Steven Joyce, Nikki Kaye, John Key, Todd McClay, Tony Ryall, Katrina Shanks, Nick Smith, Anne Tolley, Chris Tremain, Louise Upston, Michael Woodhouse.
Maori Party: Tariana Turia.
Labour: Phil Goff, Annette King, Trevor Mallard, Damien O’Connor.
* Spoiling ballot paper: Clayton Cosgrove, Rajen Prasad.
VOTING NO
National: Cam Calder, Tim Macindoe.
Act: John Boscawen, David Garrett, Heather Roy.
Tags: Anne Tolley ,Annette King ,Cam Calder ,Catherine Delahunty ,charles chauvel ,Chester Borrows ,Chris Finlayson ,Chris Tremain ,Damien O'Connor ,Darien Fenton ,David Bennett ,David Carter ,David Garrett ,Heather Roy ,Hone Harawira ,Jackie Blue ,Jeanette Fitzsimons ,Jim Anderton ,John Boscawen ,john key ,Judith Collins ,Katrina Shanks ,Keith Locke ,Kelvin Davis ,Kennedy Graham ,Kevin Hague ,Louise Upston ,Maryan Street ,Metiria Turei ,Michael Woodhouse ,Moana Mackey ,mp ,mps ,Nathan Guy ,Nick Smith ,Nikki Kaye ,Parekura Horomia ,parliament ,peter dunne ,phil goff ,Rahui Katene ,russel norman ,Steve Chadwick ,Steven Joyce ,Su'a William Sio ,sue bradford ,Sue Kedgley ,tariana turia ,Tau Henare ,Te Ururoa Flavell ,Tim Groser ,Tim Macindoe ,Todd McClay ,Tony Ryall ,Trevor Mallard
August 2, 2009
The New Zealand Nurses’ Organisation (NZNO) is supportive of the current child protection legislation.
Chief executive officer, Geoff Annals, is frustrated by the referendum question. “There can be little doubt that a better worded question could have been asked. The issue is whether it should be lawful to use violence against children.”
“As an organisation of 43,000 health professionals and carers we are clear that any steps that can be taken to protect our children from violence should be. The evidence shows this is a law that is working and must be retained,” Annals said.
“New Zealand has a shameful record on child abuse. Clearly our culture needs to change to view violence, in any form, as unacceptable,” Annals said.
July 31, 2009
Catholic aid agency Caritas Aotearoa NZ is backing a “Yes” vote in the upcoming smacking referendum, but acknowledges people could, in good conscience, vote either way.
A citizens initiated referendum on the question “Should a smack as part of good parental correction be a criminal offence in New Zealand?” runs from July 31 to August 21. The result is not binding.
The referendum came about after a 390,000-signature petition last year.
The Crimes (Substituted Section 59) Amendment Act 2007 allows reasonable force to be used for limited reasons, but not for correction. The act removed a wide-ranging defence of reasonable force.
A parliamentary compromise in 2007 saw police given discretion not to prosecute where the force used is inconsequential.
Caritas believes the law is therefore a good balance between child protection and the rights of families to make decisions for themselves without undue government interference, often described as subsidiarity.
This is in line with Catholic social teaching and prevents unnecessary prosecutions, Caritas said in statement.
The bishops’ conference also sought a balanced solution in their 2007 statement “Children are Precious Gifts”.
Because the referendum is seen politically as a vote of support for or opposition to the current law, Caritas recommends a “Yes” vote.
Director Mike Smith said the referendum question will not give a clear answer about child discipline because a person could support the 2007 compromise while voting either way.
Thus the “ambiguous” question means “many New Zealanders who support efforts to reduce violence against children may, in good conscience, still feel obliged to vote ‘No'”.
Caritas called for more parental education and believes referendum funding could have been better used this way.
A police activity review showed that there were no prosecutions brought for child assault which involved smacking between October and April.
Out of 279 “child assault events” attended, 39 involved minor acts of physical discipline and eight involved smacking. Police prosecuted four of the former and none of the latter.
July 31, 2009
A survey of 5263 children has found the majority believe parents who are taken to court for hitting a child should not be let off if they say they were disciplining a child. 52 percent of children said they don’t think adults should be let off. 39 percent said adults should be let off and 9 percent were not sure.
“The views of those who participated in the survey on the child helpline 0800Whatsup, show a range of opinion among children and young people. The majority of comments were in favour of the current law and some callers stated explicitly that parents who hit children should themselves be disciplined for doing so,” said Murray Edridge, Chief Executive of Barnardos New Zealand.
“Many of those who believe that parents should have the right to hit children expressed several conditions applying to this right: hitting should not be excessive, alternatives to hitting should be used, and the use of hitting should be justified by the extent of the child’s misbehaviour. They also showed an awareness that discipline might not be the real motive for hitting.”
Mr Edridge said, “With voting papers going out in the next couple of days it is important for New Zealanders to take into account the views of children, given the affect of corporal punishment on them. It’s clear that a ‘yes’ vote is consistent with the aspirations of children to have legal protection from assault and to be able to live free from violence.”
“Similarly, with research showing there are positive trends away from the use of corporal punishment, a ‘yes’ vote is an expression of support for parents’ choice to not hit their children. Positive, non-violent, parenting is more effective than corporal punishment as well as supporting better long-term outcomes for children and for society. This is something we should all say ‘yes’ to!” he concluded.
July 30, 2009
John Campbell ran a heated but civil discussion on the referendum tonight, with Anton Blank (Te Kahui Mana Ririki) and Murray Edridge (Barnardos) representing The Yes Vote pitted against Sheryll Saville and Bob McCoskrie speaking for the Vote No lobby.
View the video.
July 29, 2009
Niam and Ruairi Welan-Turnbull and Conor and Beau O'Connell were delivering Yes Vote leaflets with KCDC councillor Lyndy McIntyre
It’s not okay to smack dogs, adults or even old people,” said Niahm, “So it shouldn’t be okay to hit kids.”
That was the message Niamh and the Mana Greens were in the midst of delivering to 5000 letterboxes in the Mana electorate.
Ms McIntyre said the group, which had about 100 members, decided they needed to get out and campaign on the approaching postal referendum: “Because there is alot of misinformation about it out there.”
The leaflet outlined why the current law should be upheld. Between July 31 and August 21, all eligible voters would be asked to answer the question: ‘Should a smack as part of good parental correction be a criminal offence in New Zealand?’
Ms McIntyre said although the question was worded badly, people should not get bogged down with that and should vote yes.
Niamh’s brother Ruairi said he felt worried when he heard adults talkking about smacking kids. “I wish I could vote,” he said.
Republished with permission from The Kapiti Observer
July 24, 2009
In an article in this week’s NZ Women’s Weekly, All Black and Wellington Hurricanes captain Rodney So’oialo speaks out in support of positive parenting and the current Child Discipline Law.
Rodney says, “It isn’t necessary to physically discipline your children… Hitting a child doesn’t make you tough, it makes you weak.”
Read the entire article. Thanks to Rodney and the NZ Women’s Weekly!
July 18, 2009
Students Against Violence Everywhere (SAVE) are holding an online referendum of their own and are encouraging young people to log on and vote.
SAVE chair, Johny O’Donnell says: “The time has come for youth to stand up and make their opinions heard on Referendum 09 and SAVE is proud to provide that opportunity.”
If you are under 25 – or know someone who is – please take this referendum survey at:
www.savemovement.org/yesvotevoice.html
“Spread this message, post up on Facebook, Bebo, MySpace and Twitter,” he says. “Let’s get the message out there that young people deserve a say!”
Results will be posted on the SAVE website, sent to the media and to Yes and No vote websites and well as all 121 MPs.
July 14, 2009
The Whangarei Everyday Communities (EDC) is a community violence prevention initiative actively promoting the safety and well-being of children, young people, families and communities. It encourages all generations to understand their role in keeping families safe and well.
The working party of the Whangarei EDC is made up of members from a number of social services including youth, health, iwi, community and government agencies and other organisations in Whangarei. For the past four years Whangarei EDC has organised a number of events, activities and workshops promoting the EDC’s key objectives, as well as supporting a range of community projects.
The Working Party is concerned at the misleading and emotively worded referendum on child discipline. Members of the Working Party are planning to vote “YES” on the referendum – child abuse is not “good parenting practice.
The Whangarei EDC supports the existing child discipline law amended by Parliament in 2007. It has the view that the funds required for this referendum could be better utilised in other areas such as positive parenting programmes and/or positive programmes for children/tamariki.
We urge MPs when Parliament reviews this law, to consider the rights of children and support positive parenting.
Retain the law.
