4. JOHN BOSCAWEN (ACT) Link to this
to the Prime Minister
Does he believe that a light smack for the purpose of correction should be a criminal offence; if not, why will he not pledge to support my proposed member’s bill to make that point clear, thus removing the need for a referendum?
Hon BILL ENGLISH (Deputy Prime Minister) Link to this
I believe the member’s first question is ambiguous and open to different interpretations. I note that the law already provides justification for smacking a child, including in the course of good care and parenting, so currently not all smacks are criminal offences. I will not be making a pledge of the sort the member describes, because in my view the current law appears to be working. In any event, the member’s bill is yet to be drawn from the ballot.
Citizens initiated referenda are an opportunity for the public to have their say; I support the referendum for this reason. There is nothing we can do about the ambiguity in the wording of the current referendum in relation to smacking.
Would he still regard the anti-smacking law as working if the majority of New Zealanders opposed a criminalisation of smacking?