10. JOHN BOSCAWEN (ACT) Link to this
to the Minister of Women's Affairs
What advice, if any, has she received on the effect of the changes made to section 59 of the Crimes Act 1961 on mothers raising their children, and what has been the effect of this law on women?
Hon PANSY WONG (Minister of Women’s Affairs) Link to this
None. But I am touched by the member’s sensitivity towards women’s issues, which is in stark contrast to the constant calls from other members of his party for the abolition of the Ministry of Women’s Affairs.
What, then, does the Minister say to the young mother who had two Child, Youth and Family workers take her 10-year-old daughter away after the daughter made a false complaint that she had been smacked, especially in light of the statement by National MP Pansy Wong in 2006, “I doubt that scratching the clause from law will act as a deterrent to those who use force against their child”?
Of course, I agree with the wise National MP Pansy Wong. In fact, scratching that section alone will not completely stop the use of force against children. That is why I am very pleased that my colleague the Hon Simon Power, in the first 100 days of the National-led Government, introduced the Sentencing (Offences against Children) Amendment Bill, which permitted violence against children to be taken into account as an aggravating factor in sentencing.
We will be listening, and listening very properly with full attention, to the results of the referendum. I agree with the Prime Minister that if indeed there is a big No vote, then Parliament would be better to have the backbone to change the legislation if it starts to fail people.
Hon Steve Chadwick Link to this
Has she received any representation from the Minister of Corrections, the Hon Judith Collins, to scrap the Ministry of Women’s Affairs?
Mr SPEAKERBefore the member responds to that, I say it is a fair stretch from the primary question. [ Interruption] I do not need to hear the member. I will allow the Hon Pansy Wong to answer.
What a question! Unlike that member, I am very appreciative of the 100 percent support that I enjoy from my National colleagues, particularly my National women colleagues.
Hon Steve Chadwick Link to this
I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker. The Minister did not answer a very specific question about a direct representation from the Minister of Corrections, Judith Collins, to scrap the Ministry of Women’s Affairs.