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  The smacking lobby ignores 8 positive reviews of S59

  
  
  
  After the latest report on Section 59 from the Prime Minister’s taskforce you would think that the media would stop calling the circus performers whose only interest is in keeping the circus going. The review included Dr Nigel Latta – someone who had voted against the law in the recent referendum. However, to his credit Dr [...] read more
  December 8, 2009 7:13 pm - 22 Comments
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  A very small event on the steps of parliament today

  
  
  
  At lunch today I was on the lawn outside enjoying the sunshine, playing some frisbee, when I noticed a small group of suits standing on the steps. Curious, I wandered over and had a closer look… Hmm some old guy ranting about how climate change is a hoax! Ok… But who are the suits he’s with?? Oh look, [...] read more
  November 25, 2009 2:14 pm - 16 Comments
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  Green law is helping to keep children safe

  
  
  
  It was great to see the Ministry of Social Development report released yesterday confirming that our law to help keep children safe is working. read more
  November 12, 2009 12:11 pm - 26 Comments
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  Bradford’s Truth: Referendum 09

  
  
  
  My regular New Zealand Truth column this week is about the child discipline referendum and the inadequacy of the legislative provisions regarding the wording of citizens initiated referenda questions: As I am sure everyone is excruciatingly well aware, we are right now in the middle of the postal referendum on the physical discipline of children. Voting started [...] read more
  August 12, 2009 2:05 pm - 168 Comments
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  What do the kids think?

  
  
  
  Family First have made much of various opinion polls, many (like their referendum question) leading in their questions and some dodgy in their methodology, in advocating that parents have a “right” to hit their children. Little has been said about what children think about the issue, despite New Zealand having ratified the United Nations Convention on [...] read more
  June 24, 2009 3:17 pm - 337 Comments
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  Dazed and confused by referendum

  
  
  
  It seems I’m not the only one confused about the meaning of the question in the forthcoming referendum: Should a smack as part of good parental correction be a criminal offence in New Zealand? I initially wondered if it was asking whether I should get the bash if I don’t look after the tadpoles properly. I see John [...] read more
  June 18, 2009 9:44 am - 255 Comments
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  Section 59 debate intensifies again

  
  
  
  The debate around s59 looks like heating up again over the next four months under the dual pressures of the August referendum and the announcement of a proposed member’s bill from ACT MP John Boscawen. Mr Boscawen is clearly keen on appealing to the sentiments stirred up by the referendum’s promoters, having lost his [...] read more
  March 23, 2009 11:12 am - 79 Comments
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  Banning

  
  
  
  Kiwiblog has helpfully taken its responsibility to informing electors about parties’ policy extremely seriously, with David Farrar reading every single Green Party policy and compiling this list of things that he reckons the Greens would ban. Even more helpfully toad has gone through and commented on each of these ‘bans’ pointing out which ones really are [...] read more
  October 29, 2008 10:43 am - 19 Comments
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  Violence against children is good business

  
  
  
  Given their normal stance I had always been kind of surprised that Act was so opposed to protecting children from violence through their opposition to the amendment to section 59 of the Crimes Act.  But now I find out why thanks to Roger Douglas’s blog: The cost of doing business in New Zealand is in many ways, [...] read more
  October 23, 2008 12:11 pm - 72 Comments
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  Children’s policies and the ever changeable Mr Key

  
  
  
  John Key appears to be in volatile mode this week on two key matters relating to children – the s59 amendment and the future of the Families Commission. From the NZ Forum on the Family held in South Auckland on Monday, the NZ Herald reported: He [Key] said if National gained power it would consider reforming the [...] read more
  September 12, 2008 9:03 am - 39 Comments

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