Family Integrity

Tag: Family First NZ

  • Anti-Smacking Law Confirmed as Wasting Valuable CYF Time

    MEDIA RELEASE

    8 July 2008

    Anti-Smacking Law Confirmed as Wasting Valuable CYF Time

    Family First NZ says that the evidence is in that CYF’s limited resources are being wasted, with a ‘blow-out’ in CYF notifications but the levels of actual abuse not increasing, or at worst not being caught.

    “This is perfect proof that the ideologically flawed anti-smacking law has resulted in unwarranted reports of good parents which is a waste of the limited resources of CYF,” says Bob McCoskrie, National Director of Family First NZ.

    Statistics released by CYF to the Nelson Mail reported today showed that the total number of notifications received by CYF had increased steadily over the last four financial years. However, the agency’s figures showed a significant drop in actual cases found to involve abuse or neglect.

    And figures from CYF’s national 2007/08 Third Quarter report show a 32% increase in notifications over the previous 12 months but numbers requiring further action remaining the same.

    “If the figures could be attributed to a rising intolerance to child abuse and domestic violence, we would be seeing an increasing rate of cases requiring further action – but we are not. That is simply because of a misguided law,” says Mr McCoskrie.

    “CYF resources are being wasted because of a law that labels good parents as potential child abusers, and distracts CYF and Police from dealing with the real causes of child abuse and actual child abuse.”

    “The police report released last month also confirmed that there had been a 300% increase in families being investigated yet less than 5% were serious enough to warrant prosecution. And the number of actual child assaults are now at almost the same rate as before the law change.”

    Family First NZ continues to call on the politicians to change the law so that non-abusive smacking is not a crime (as wanted by 85% of NZ’ers according to recent research). Then CYF and Police will have the time and resources to focus on the ‘rotten parents’ who are abusing and killing their children.

    ENDS

    For More Information and Media Interviews, contact Family First:

    Bob McCoskrie – National Director

    Mob. 027 55 555 42

  • Nats won’t change child-discipline law, says Key

    Family First:

    We have been asked on a number of occasions where does National stand on the anti-smacking law, and will they change it if elected as the government.

    Here’s the answer…
     Nats won’t change child-discipline law, says Key
    The Press 26 June 2008
    National Party leader John Key has ruled out overturning the controversial child-discipline law if he becomes Prime Minister, despite championing a referendum on the issue. In Parliament yesterday, he accused Prime Minister Helen Clark of “ignoring the will of the New Zealand people” and urged a referendum be held on the so-called “anti-smacking” legislation at election time. His call came after Clark announced the Government had accepted official advice that it was too late to hold a referendum this year.

    Asked by The Press afterwards if a National government would consider revoking the law as a result of a referendum, Key said: “No. The position as it has essentially always been since we signed a compromise (with Labour) is that if we see good parents being criminalised for lightly smacking their children then we will actively seek to change the law,” he said. “But at this point, as the police report pointed out earlier this week, we haven’t seen that at all. “The test we have is a pretty simple one. If the law doesn’t work then we’ll change it.”
    READ FULL ARTICLE     http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/thepress/4596934a24035.html

    Family First Comment :
    We are currently researching a number of cases where good parents have been criminalised or had children removed by CYF for lightly smacking or correcting their children.

    If you have been investigated or prosecuted by the police or CYF for ‘light smacking’, or know of someone who has, please email us in the strictest confidence bob@familyfirst.org.nz

    Kind regards

    Bob McCoskrie
    National Director

    www.familyfirst.org.nz

  • FI414-FAMILY FIRST – Please join our call

    26 June 2008 – Family Integrity #414 — FAMILY FIRST – Please join our call

    Dear Friends,
    Let me encourage you to please join this call to get some MPs to force the referendum to go though at the same time as the election in November.
    There are only 7 MPs to email. A sample letter of what to say and the email addresses are all reproduced below.
    Thanks a million.
    Regards,
    Craig Smith
    National Director
    Family Integrity
    Ph: (06) 357-4399
    Fax: (06) 357-4389
    Family.Integrity@xtra.co.nz
    http://    www.FamilyIntegrity.org.nz

    Our Home….Our Castle
    25 Jun 2008

    Would you consider joining our call…

    Call for Majority of Parliament

    To Demand Election Day Referendum

    Family First Media Release 25 June 2008
    Family First NZ has written to the leaders of National, Act, NZ First, United Future and the two independent MP’s asking that they form a majority and require the anti-smacking Referendum to be held on Election Day.

    Under section 22AA (5) of the Citizens Initiated Referenda Act 1993, a Referendum can be scheduled for polling day if the “House of Representatives passes a resolution requiring the indicative referendum to be held on the polling day for the general election.”

    “That is an ordinary 50% majority vote,” says Bob McCoskrie, National Director of Family First NZ. “ We are therefore calling on National, Act, NZ First, United Future and the two independent MP’s to acknowledge the voice of over 350,000 people and require that the Referendum be held at the most obvious and cost-efficient time of the upcoming election.”

    “ Any party that votes against this proposal should have the $10 million that it will cost to do a postal ballot charged against their election expenses ,” says Mr McCoskrie.

    “If Sir Robert Muldoon could call a 1984 snap election just four weeks before polling day, and the-then National Government in 1999 take only a week to determine Norm Withers’ petition for a referendum on violent crime would be held on election day, it proves that the Prime Minister’s claim that there is not enough time is a cynical and desparate attempt to sweep the issue under the carpet and undermine democracy.”

    If the Prime Minister goes ahead and forces the Governor-General to declare that it be held by postal voting, then the majority of Parliament can still require the voting period to close on the day of the general election – s22AB(6)(b)

    “This is second best as it is a completely unnecessary waste of taxpayer money,” says Mr McCoskrie.

    JOIN OUR CALL

    Email
    john.key@parliament.govt.nz
    peter.dunne@parliament.govt.nz
    rodney.hide@parliament.govt.nz
    winston.peters@parliament.govt.nz
    gordon.copeland@parliament.govt.nz
    taito.phillip.field@parliament.govt.nz
    pita.sharples@parliament.govt.nz

    View the Act: http://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1993/0101/latest/DLM318489.html

    LETTER

    We are asking that you form a majority in the House and require the anti-smacking Referendum to be held on Election Day.

    Under section 22AA (5) of the Citizens Initiated Referenda Act 1993, a Referendum can be scheduled for polling day if the “House of Representatives passes a resolution requiring the indicative referendum to be held on the polling day for the general election.”

    That is a simple 50% majority vote.

    We are asking you and your party to acknowledge the voice of over 350,000 people who have signed the petitions and require that the Referendum be held at the most obvious and cost-efficient time of the upcoming election.

    If the Prime Minister goes ahead and forces the Governor-General to declare that it be held by postal voting, then the majority of Parliament can still require the voting period to close on the day of the general election – s22AB(6)(b). This is second best as it is a completely unnecessary waste of taxpayer money.

    If Sir Robert Muldoon could call a 1984 snap election just four weeks before polling day, and the Government in 1999 could take only a week to determine Norm Withers’ petition for a referendum on violent crime would be held on election day, it proves that the Prime Minister’s claim that there is not enough time is an attempt to sweep the issue under the carpet and undermine democracy.

    The ability to get 390,000 signatures on a petition is a major feat in itself. Please help us uphold democracy in New Zealand.

    www.familyfirst.org.nz

  • FI407-PM Desparate to Shut Down Smacking Referendum

    24 June 2008 – Family Integrity #407 — PM wants to shut down referendum

    The PM has said she reckons there’s not enough time to organise a referendum to occur at the same time as the next general election. What rot. Why is she afraid of the referendum results? Because she knows she’ll be drowned and overwhelmed by opposition to this so-called “anti-smacking” law which in fact makes it a crime for parents to correct their own children.

    TAKE ACTION: Email the Prime Minister and John Key demanding that a Referendum be held at the upcoming Election

    pm@ministers.govt.nz john.key@parliament.govt.nz

    MEDIA RELEASE

    23 June 2008

    Family First NZ is shocked and angry that the Prime Minister is willing to consider spending over $10 million of taxpayers’ money on the anti-smacking Referendum to be held separately from the upcoming election rather than holding it during the upcoming election, which is the most natural timing for it.

    “Helen Clark says that Parliament had spoken on the issue with a near “unanimous mind”. What she fails to say is that both the major parties were ‘whipped’ to vote for the bill, which is highly ironic considering it is the anti-smacking bill,” says Mr McCoskrie, National Director of Family First NZ. “The bill would have been dead and buried otherwise, as NZ’ers wanted.”

    “She also fails to hear the voice of over 390,000 signatories who oppose the law change and are demanding a Referendum, and the 80%-plus who want the law changed according to latest polls.”

    “Unless the PM is holding the election before 23 September, the perfect and most economical time to hold the Referendum is Election day in October or November, and any later timing is simply a cynical attempt to try and prevent the voice of NZ’ers being heard.”

    “It would be a sad day for democracy and fairness if that happened.”

    ENDS

    For More Information and Media Interviews, contact Family First:

    Bob McCoskrie JP – National Director

    Tel. 09 261 2426 | Mob. 027 55 555 42

    TAKE ACTION: Email the Prime Minister and John Key demanding that a Referendum be held at the upcoming Election
    pm@ministers.govt.nz john.key@parliament.govt.nz

  • Substantial Jump in Parents Being Investigated for Smacking

    MEDIA RELEASE

    23 June 2008

    Family First NZ says that the police report on the effects of the anti-smacking law shows an almost 300% jump in the number of parents being investigated for minor acts of physical discipline since the law was passed.

    “The six month review of police activity following the passing of the anti-smacking law follows on from the 3 month review immediately after the law change, and a further 3 month review six months after the amendment,” says Bob McCoskrie, National Director of Family First NZ. “There is an obvious effort to try and paint a positive spin on this law change by the police head office, with so many reviews!”

    “But what this particular review shows is that police resources are being wasted on attending and investigating smacking and minor acts of physical discipline, yet less than 5% are serious enough to warrant prosecution.”

    “This report fails to explain what “minor acts of physical discipline” are, acknowledges that there may have been changes in police recording practice and may have been changes in the ‘threshhold’ of what is acceptable, and as per the last report in December 2007, admits that “an absence of a notification on a Police file does not necessarily mean that no notification was made.”

    “The worst aspect is that the number of actual child assaults are now at almost the same rate as before the law change.”

    “In other words, the anti-smacking law has failed to stem the tide of child abuse, but has targeted many good parents and grandparents with the trauma and fear of police investigation and CYF involvement. Parents will feel very nervous reading this report, knowing the increasing level of investigations for minor acts.”

    “Sue Bradford, Cindy Kiro and Barnados trumpet the law as a success because not many are being prosecuted.”

    Family First wants laws which target actual child abusers, tackles the real causes of child abuse identified by the CYF and UNICEF reports, but leaves good parents alone to raise law-abiding and productive citizens of NZ.

    ENDS

    For More Information and Media Interviews, contact Family First:

    Bob McCoskrie JP – National Director

    Tel. 09 261 2426 | Mob. 027 55 555 42

  • Large Stack of Signatures Confirms Referendum at Election

    MEDIA RELEASE

    23 June 2008

    (petition to be presented on steps of Parliament at 12.30pm)

    Large Stack of Signatures Confirms Referendum at Election

    Family First NZ says that the extra ‘stack’ of signatures on the petition opposing the anti-smacking law and being presented at Parliament today confirms that the politicians failed to listen to the voice of the people when passing this unpopular and ineffective law.

    “The law would never have passed if the two major political parties had not ‘whipped’ their MP’s to vote for the anti-smacking law, which is highly ironic in itself,” says Bob McCoskrie, National Director of Family First NZ.

    “But the massive response to the petition, combined with recent polls showing 85% support for changing the law, demonstrates just how unpopular the law is. The petition is a simple plea from NZ’ers – don’t criminalise the actions of good parents who are trying to raise law-abiding and productive citizens of the future.”

    “When the author of the law change Sue Bradford tells us that the law change was never intended to deal with the epidemic of child abuse and child violence, it is quite obvious that this law change was not about solving a problem – it was about telling parents how to raise their children. And parents who are already doing a great job have responded by saying “we’re doing fine thanks.”

    “If the purpose of the law was not to ban smacking, as promised by the Prime Minister before the last election, the law should explicitly state this. It should not be left open to potential persecution of parents through complaints by schools, members of the public and children, and investigations by police and CYFS,” says Mr McCoskrie.

    “We are now also seeing clear evidence of good parents being prosecuted in courts for correcting their children in ways that were promised would not be caught under the new law.”

    Family First is calling on the politicians to amend the law so that good parents are not criminalised for reasonable and appropriate correction of children.

    “There is good reason that only 23 of the almost 200 countries have adopted this law. NZ can lead the world by being the first country to reverse this flawed law before its effects are fully felt by families and the community,”

    ENDS

    For More Information and Media Interviews, contact Family First:

    Bob McCoskrie – National Director

    Mob. 027 55 555 42

  • Family First confident of smacking law referendum

    http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/1/story.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10517590

    http://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/newsdetail1.asp?storyID=139400

    7:47AM Saturday June 21, 2008

    The Smacking Debate

    Family First is confident it now has enough signatures to force a referendum on the anti-smacking law.

    This weekend marks the first anniversary of Sue Bradford’s controversial legislation.

    In April, the group’s petition failed as it was short of 18,000 valid signatures.

    But Family First director Bob McCoskrie said 60,000 new signatures would be presented to Parliament on Monday and should be more than enough to get a referendum.

    Mr McCoskrie said the intention of the legislation was to tackle child abuse, but it had missed the mark completely.

    He said prosecutions against parents for hitting their children were starting to come into the courts.

    The real causes of abuse need to be dealt with and good parents should be left alone, he said.

    – NEWSTALK ZB

  • FI405-U4L: Let’s bring this puppy home “in style”

    20 June 2008 – Family Integrity #405 — U4L; Let’s bring this puppy home “in style”
    —–Original Message—–
    From: Craig Hill [mailto:craighill@maxnet.co.nz]
    Sent: Thursday, June 19, 2008 9:42 PM
    Subject: U4L; Let’s bring this puppy home “in style”

    Hi All,

    New Total 384,000

    This is a call to all folk in AUCKLAND, WELLINGTON AND CHRISTCHURCH

    Let’s make sure we have the last laugh, this coming weekend is our last opportunity to ensure the referendum.

    The signatures will be handed in early afternoon on Monday, ALL folk in the above areas have the opportunity to pass collected signatures directly to contacts who will then deliver them to Wellington on Monday. You can also contact these people to help with organized activities within the above named cities.

    Auckland contacts, Bernie Ogilvy mob 021610919 or Craig Hill 021746113

    Christchurch contact, Ruth mob 021872459 or Andy 0211140751

    Wellingtonians     can collect and deliver your petitions to Gordon Copeland’s office in Bowen House Monday morning or bring them with you to the steps of parliament at noon.

    Any inquiries from Wellington and all general inquiries contact Craig 021746113

    Response to the Auckland push,

    What can we say, just a big thanks to all those involved. And the Christchurch team certainly led the way, well done.

    Auckland and Hamilton did well

    Warriors fixture, 1100+
    WWE Wrestling 600+
    All Blacks 1300+
    Road side 400+

    And wait for it

    Field days 8700+

    Other results

    Wellington 212
    Porirua 312
    Hastings 400

    Pertinent information

    A Land Fit For Criminals,
    This is a must attend, I am certainly alot more wiser having listened to “David Fraser”. He pulled down and exposed a number of myths relating to prison systems and     sentencing policies. Click here for his itinerary

    Family First’s “Rally for Families”
    Family First Media Release 19 June 2008
    Family First is joining with the NZ Sikh Society, Samoan, Sri Lankan, Asian and other community groups to hold a rally on Saturday at the Manukau City Square behind the Westfield Shopping Centre at 2pm. They are calling on South Auckland families to come together in a stand of unity.

    “The community has been rocked by a number of violent crimes and it is vital that families of South Auckland stand together and support each other during this time,” says Bob McCoskrie, National Director of Family First NZ, and a Manurewa resident.

    The Rally will be held on Saturday 21 June at 2pm at the Manukau City Square behind Westfield Shopping Centre . Speakers include Acting Manukau City Mayor Gary Troup, Family First’s Bob McCoskrie, Charlie Borrell (father of Augustine Borrell) and representatives from the ethnic groups represented.

    LET’S BRING THIS PUPPY HOME “IN STYLE”

    Craig Hill
    021 746 113
    http://www.unityforliberty.net.nz

    All that is necessary for evil to succeed is for good men to do nothing (Edmund Burke 1728-1797)