Family Integrity

Category: Referendum

  • Your tax money is being used to fund support of the anti-smacking law, and to attack the Referendum

    DID YOU KNOW?


    Your tax money is being used to fund support of the


    anti-smacking law, and to attack the Referendum


    Government funded organisations are working and spending overtime pushing the anti-smacking law, attacking the Referendum, and promoting a yes-vote.

    Following on from the Families Commission last week, and ongoing lobbying from the Children’s Commissioner and government-funded groups like Barnardos and Plunket , the latest example is the Human Rights Commission who admitted today that they funded a legal opinion to try to validate their support for the anti-smacking law. They also labeled the Referendum as ‘flawed’ and ‘meaningless’. This opinion is released in the weeks leading to the Referendum despite the law having been in existence for 2 years – interesting timing!

    Once again, this makes a complete sham of claims by the government that the Referendum won’t make any difference, yet the law change, an answer to the Referendum, and attempts to undermine the process are being promoted by government organisations – and being paid for by taxpayers.

    But groups such as Family First NZ and many others who oppose the law and promoting a No-vote are limited to the $50,000 maximum spending limit set under the CIR Act and have to raise it through donations from individuals and families concerned by this issue. The spending limit is only targeting and penalising groups who oppose the anti-smacking law, but taxpayer-funded groups are spending like there’s no recession!

    But what government funded groups don’t have is…

    PEOPLE

    POWER!

    Tell someone about the website http://www.voteNO.org.nz
    Download some posters or brochures – photocopy – then distribute to any place where there’s people – shopping malls, sports fields, churches, social functions, family, local letterboxes. Let’s even up the debate!!


    ALL THE INFORMATION

    YOU NEED


    …..and NO Copyright!


    The VoteNO.org.nz website has all the information you need regarding the upcoming anti-smacking Referendum including
    frequently asked questions ,
    quotes of interest ,
    summary of polls ,
    summary of media releases on this issue ,
    how to enroll ,
    background of the Referendum
    even a cartoons page !


    But there are also
    FREE downloadable brochures and posters


    (and banner adverts and sidebar adverts for your blogs and website). The brochures are even in other translations including Maori, Tongan, Samoan, Fijian, Chinese, and Hindi! Download them – photocopy – and distribute to family and friends!

    So GET THE WORD OUT on what this Referendum is all about.

    There’s no copyright – we won’t sue you for plagiarism! GO FOR YOUR LIFE!!

    But especially – encourage people to vote!

    We can also make the videos available to show to your group including Simon Barnett , Referendum proposer Sheryl Savill and Maori Child Advocate Bev Adair – simply email us admin@familyfirst.org.nz for the files

    There’s also a blog , we’re on Twitter , and a group of supporters have started a Facebook group

    IT’S ALL GO!

    You may even like to financially support the VoteNO campaign!!

    But at the end of the day, the Referendum is about you having the opportunity to have YOUR say! Help send a strong message to the politicians that they simply cannot ignore – no matter how much they spend to try and shut you up!

    Bob McCoskrie
    National Director

    http://www.familyfirst.org.nz

  • Yet More Government Funding for Opposing Referendum

    MEDIA RELEASE

    6 July 2009

    Yet More Government Funding for Opposing Referendum

    Family First NZ says that government funded organisations are working and spending overtime pushing the anti-smacking law, attacking the Referendum, and promoting a yes-vote.

    “Following on from the Families Commission last week, and ongoing lobbying from the Children’s Commissioner and government-funded groups like Barnardos and Plunket, the latest example is the Human Rights Commission who admitted today that they funded a legal opinion to try to validate their support for the anti-smacking law,” says Bob McCoskrie, National Director of Family First NZ. “They also labeled the Referendum as ‘flawed’ and ‘meaningless’.”

    “Once again, this makes a complete sham of claims by the government that the Referendum won’t make any difference, yet the law change, an answer to the Referendum, and attempts to undermine the process are being promoted by government organisations – and being paid for by taxpayers.”

    “But groups such as Family First NZ and many others who oppose the law and promoting a No-vote are limited to the $50,000 maximum spending limit set under the CIR Act and have to raise it through donations from individuals and families concerned by this issue.”

    “The spending limit is penalising groups who oppose the anti-smacking law, but taxpayer-funded groups are spending like there’s no recession!”

    Ironically, in response to a formal complaint by Family First NZ that the anti-smacking law is vague and uncertain, the Human Rights Commission acknowledged the potential uncertainty of the law but said they were not convinced that the earlier version of section 59 ‘provided any better guidance than the present legislation’.

    Mr McCoskrie says that recent research by Curia Marketing Research found widespread confusion about the effect of the law. 55% of the respondents said that smacking was always illegal, 31% said it wasn’t, and 14% didn’t know. A recent Families Commission report showed that immigrant families are confused by the anti-smacking law and see smacking as a viable option for correcting their children.

    “The Referendum is being dismissed by the government yet there’s no shortage of cheques being signed to determine a favourable outcome to the politicians,” says Mr McCoskrie.

    ENDS

    For More Information and Media Interviews, contact Family First:

    Bob McCoskrie – National Director

    Mob. 027 55 555 42


  • Have you checked out voteNO.org.nz

    Have you checked out

    http://www.voteNO.org.nz

  • Family Integrity #460 — Bob McCoskrie’s speech is “Why the Referendum Answer is No”

    Family Integrity #460 — Bob McCoskrie’s speech is “Why the Referendum Answer is No”

    Dear all,

    Please note the following in your diaries, those able to attend.

    Craig Smith

    Family Integrity

    PO Box 9064

    Palmerston North 4441

    New Zealand

    Ph. +64 6 357-4399

    craig@hef.org.nz
    Rodney Hide Invites You To His Constituent Forum
    Theme: The “anti smacking referendum”
    Friday 24 July, 5.30pm
    Mecca Café , Cnr Remuera Road and Nuffield Street, Newmarket
    Special Guest speaker: Bob McCoskrie, National Director, Family First
    The title of Bob’s speech is “Why the Referendum Answer is No”
    Go to Bob’s website http://www.familyfirst.org.nz
    Free Entry. Cash bar available. Everyone welcome
    RSVP bnicolle@clear.net.nz Further info Phone 09 524 6173

    http://section59.blogspot.com/2009/07/why-referendum-answer-is-no.html

  • BIG NEWS Report: Barnardos asks kids about smacking, and lies about the research”… Why? In order to promote their VoteYes Campaign?

    Barnardos have been interviewing New Zealand children by phone to see what they think about getting smacked. The question they asked:

    Do you think that adults who are taken to court for hitting a child should be let off if they say they were disciplining the child?”

    ……. The kids had to push 1 if they should be let off 2 if they think they should not be let off, 3 if they don’t know and 4 to hear the question again. Just over half said they should not be let off. Many probably didn’t understand what ” let off” meant- ……..Nor is it clear whether “adults” included strangers.

    They interviewed stressed kids who called the What’s Up hotline, a hotline for kids to talk about anything they wish, including abuse. While the kid was waiting to speak to a real person, they were given an automated message with the above question. That’s a little like asking turkeys on the 15 December whether they are looking forward to Christmas. There was only a 10% valid response rate.

    Barnardos’ media release [on their ‘research’ – used to promote their Yes Vote Campaign in the Citizen’s Initiated Referendum] says it asked kids about whether adults should be able to claim a legal defence for assault. They lied. They asked if adults should be let off. But if these adults are not parents or caregivers of the smacked kid they never had a legal defence [to be let off], ever. Let off means a case is dropped or they’re discharged without conviction – not merely being found not guilty. The Barnardos release also says:

    Importantly, many of the callers suggested that parents should be let off with a warning or community service if they perpetrated low levels of violence against children.

    How many? well, just one actually! The report provides all comments provided by the kids – quoting just 10 children, although it does provide some statements that counsellors said the kids had made. But ONLY ONE said parents should be let off with a warning, and NONE said parents should be charged, let alone prosecuted or have community service.

    Barnardos should really stop lying to the media.

    For more go to : http://big-news.blogspot.com/2009/06/barnardos-ask-kids-about-smacking-and.html

  • Anti-Smacking Referendum ’09: ALL THE INFORMATION YOU NEED

    Anti-Smacking Referendum ’09

    ALL THE INFORMATION

    YOU NEED


    …..and NO Copyright!

    The VoteNO.org.nz website has all the information you need regarding the upcoming anti-smacking Referendum including
    frequently asked questions,
    quotes of interest,
    summary of polls,
    summary of media releases on this issue,
    how to enroll,
    background of the Referendum
    even a cartoons page!


    But there are also
    FREE downloadable brochures and posters
    (and banner adverts and sidebar adverts for your blogs and website). The brochures are even in other translations including Maori, Tongan, Samoan, Fijian, Chinese, and Hindi! Download them – photocopy – and distribute to family and friends!

    So GET THE WORD OUT on what this Referendum is all about.

    There’s no copyright – we won’t sue you for plagiarism! GO FOR YOUR LIFE!! But especially – encourage people to vote!

    We can also make the videos available to show to your group including Simon Barnett, Referendum proposer Sheryl Savill and Maori Child Advocate Bev Adair – simply email us admin@familyfirst.org.nz for the files

    There’s also a blog, we’re on Twitter, and a group of supporters have started a Facebook group

    You may also see our Billboard campaign underway also.

    IT’S ALL GO!

    You may even like to financially support the VoteNO campaign!!

    But at the end of the day, the Referendum is about you having the opportunity to have YOUR say! Help send a strong message to the politicians that they simply cannot ignore.

    Have a great weekend

    Bob McCoskrie
    National Director

    http://www.familyfirst.org.nz

  • Prime Minister’s claims of referendum question confusion are really confusing!!!

    “John Key has recently adopted the simplistic tactic of trying to discredit the referendum by complaining about the question being confusing, but the only person that is confused seems to be himself,” said Kiwi Party Leader Larry Baldock.

    “He seems to have forgotten that when the petition was first launched March 1st, 2007 National party MPs were very involved in helping us to collect signatures. Many of them even had the petition in their electorate offices at various places across the country. If they thought the question was confusing why would they help to collect signatures to make the referendum become a reality?
    “And would they have done this without the knowledge and approval of John Key?

    “Unfortunately once the anti-smacking law had been passed after John Key’s amendment deal with Helen Clark the National MPs were told they were no longer allowed to collect signatures.

    “The Prime Minister has often said he didn’t want good parents criminalised for a light smack.
    Prime Minister they now are, so do you want it to remain that way or not? Answer ‘Yes’ if you do, and ‘No’ if you don’t. It is really that simple!

    “The high response or 25,000 people responding in just two weeks to enrol or update their enrolment with the electoral enrolment centre shows that unlike John Key and Phil Goff, Kiwis understand the question and are keen to have their say,” said the petition organiser, Larry Baldock.

    Contact
    Larry Baldock
    021864833

  • Prime Minister turns down offer to call off referendum

    Email correspondence released today confirms the Prime Minister John Key turned down an offer to call off the referendum and save taxpayers money.
    Kiwi Party Leader and Petition organiser Larry Baldock said he had made a genuine offer that could have put the whole matter to rest.

    “It seems that the same man who rushed to make a compromise deal with Helen Clark and Sue Bradford in 2007 is no longer interested in finding sensible solutions,” said Mr Baldock

    On April 18th, 2007 John Key’s reported position was very clear when he said, “If Labour really believes that ‘light smacking for the purposes of correction’ will not be outlawed, then they need to explain that. But no matter how you read this bill in its present form it will be illegal to ‘lightly smack for the purposes of correction’.

    Last week, after fudging on the question for more than 4 years, Sue Bradford herself finally admitted on National Radio that every parent who uses a light smack or any reasonable force for the purpose of correction was now a criminal in this country, regardless of whether they are eventually prosecuted or not!

    John Key then went on to say, “The way to send a strong message on child abuse is to make the law clear and precise and then to police it strongly and vigilantly. This bill as it stands does the opposite. For me, a result that sees the criminalisation of parents for a light smack is simply not on the table.”

    In May 2007 the whole nation was shocked by the news that John Key was willing to suddenly change the National party’s position on the anti-smacking law and strike a compromise deal with Helen Clark and Sue Bradford.

    I recall John Key explaining his actions then on the basis that the Anti-smacking law was a bad law, but since the Government had the numbers to pass it anyway, he felt responsible to do what he could to minimise the harm the law could cause to parents and families all over the country.

    Now that he has the power to amend the ‘bad law’ he seems to have completely changed his position and thinks his amendment has made it into a ‘good law’. In the email reply to my offer, Wayne Eagleson wrote, “As the Prime Minister has indicated publicly on a number of occasions, the government is of the view that the current law is working.”

    Perhaps the Prime Minister would take the time to explain to Glenn Groves who was recently convicted of assaulting his 7 year old son for nothing more serious than shoving him in the back, how well his amendment to the ‘bad law’ is working.

    My proposed amendments as outlined in the attached  correspondence (posted below)  would remove the criminalisation of good parents,” said Mr Baldock.

    Ends

    Contact
    Larry Baldock
    021864833

  • Proposal to withdraw the referendum

    From: Larry Baldock
    Sent: Wednesday, 17 June 2009 2:23 pm
    To: Hon. John Key (MIN)
    Cc: Hon. Bill English (MIN); Wayne Eagleson (MIN)
    Subject: Proposal to withdraw the referendum.

    The Prime Minister,
    Parliament Buildings
    Wellington
    June 16, 2009.

    Dear Prime Minister,
    In the interests of saving our country most of the estimated $9 million to complete the referendum, Sheryl Savill, the petition proposer, and myself would withdraw the referendum, (as per Sec 22A (1) of the CIR Act 1993) in return for an agreement by yourself to amend the current sec 59 of the crimes Act in the following way.

    Delete the following sub clauses from the amended Sec 59,
    (2) Nothing in subsection (1) or in any rule of common law justifies the use of force for the purpose of correction.
    (3) Subsection (2) prevails over subsection (1),

    In this way, the criminalisation of parents who use some reasonable force to correct and train their children would be removed, whilst the other clarifications in Subsection (1) of the permissible use of reasonable force would remain.
    Your amendment emphasising the need for the police to use discretion could also remain.

    I would be happy to discuss these proposals with your officials and act promptly to call off the referendum and save the hard-earned money of the taxpayers of New Zealand.

    Yours sincerely,
    Larry Baldock.

    On 18/06/09 11:45 AM, “Wayne Eagleson (MIN)” <Wayne.Eagleson@parliament.govt.nz> wrote:

    Dear Larry,

    The Prime Minister has asked me to reply on his behalf to your email regarding the s59 referendum.

    As the Prime Minister has indicated publicly on a number of occasions, the government is of the view that the current law is working. On that basis, the Prime Minister does not support your proposed changes to the law.

    With respect to the issue of the cost of the referendum, the Prime Minister said in the House yesterday that while he was concerned at having to spend $9 million, with a legal process having triggered the referendum it would be followed through on.

    Thank you for writing to the Prime Minister on this issue.

    Yours sincerely,
    Wayne Eagleson
    Chief of Staff
    Office of the Prime Minister
    Ph: 64 4 817-9365 or 64 21 709 067
    Parliament Buildings
    Wellington