Family Integrity

Tag: Kiwi Party

  • Plenty of time to organise a referendum

    Hi Everyone,

    Kiwi Party leader and organiser of the petition for a referendum on the anti-smacking law Larry Baldock says there is plenty of time to hold the referendum at this years election.

    “Claims by the Prime Minister reported in the Herald today that there is not enough time to get things organised are ridiculous,” said Mr Baldock.

    The confirmation of the success of the petition must be given by the Clerk of the House no later than August 23rd.
    “You can’t tell me that it will take more than 2 months to organise one simple question to be added to the ballot paper,” said Mr Baldock.

    “If the Labour party’s fortunes were to suddenly improve in the polls the Prime Minister would have no qualms whatsoever in calling an early election and she would have everyone pulling out all the stops to get this organised on time,” he said.

    Ends

    Larry Baldock
    Party Leader
    Phone: 021 86 4833
    Email: l.baldock@xtra.co.nz

  • FI406-We got the numbers on the Petition!

    24 June 2008 – Family Integrity #406 — We got the numbers!

    The Kiwi Party

    They will not drown out the voice of the people!

    Kiwi Party Leader and Tauranga electorate candidate Larry Baldock will today resubmit to the Clerk of the House the petition calling for a referendum on the Anti-smacking law that was passed by Parliament in May 2007.
    The petition was first presented on Feb 29 this year with 324,511 signatures but was deemed to have insufficient valid signatures after the audit process had been carried out. The required number to force a referendum is 285,027 and the petition fell short by approx 18,000.


    The CIR Petition Act 1993 allows for an extension period of up to 2 months for the petition sponsor to gather further signatures and then resubmit all the signatures again. The Clerk of The House then conducts a completely new audit process on a new 1 in 11 sample to determine if a referendum is to be held.

    Mr Baldock said he was very confident that they now had sufficient signatures to ensure a referendum goes ahead.
    “Over the past 15 months we have collected more than 390,000 signatures all over this country. That means we are now handing in 100,000 more than required and more than 60,000 new signatures since we first handed the petition in just over 3 and half months ago.

    “Quite frankly I do not know who Sue Bradford, Children’s Commissioner Cindy Kiro, and Barnardos Chief executive Murray Edridge are trying to kid when they claim that attitudes have changed. I would like to see the supporters of this crazy ill-conceived law try and collect even 100,000 signatures in support of it, let alone the nearly 400,000 we have collected, the Kiwi Party leader said.

    “Why are these people so afraid of democracy?

    In Tauranga last week National Party leader John Key said he was not going to change the law if he became Prime Minister. In response to a question from the floor, he said that he would only make changes if he saw good parents being prosecuted.

    “Personally I find that most disturbing,” said Mr Baldock. “John Key seems to be catching Parliamentary flu, that sickness which afflicts so many of our political leaders and causes them to believe they know better than the people who elected them to their positions of responsibility.


    “The only acceptable response to the referendum is for John Key, Helen Clark, Peter Dunne, and Jim Anderton to promise the people of New Zealand that they will lay aside their personal opinions on the subject of how good parents should correct their children, and give their solemn commitment to abide by and implement the majority view of the people of New Zealand.

    “Winston Peters, who has held the balance of power for the past three years could have stopped the Bradford Bill in its tracks. Once again he has showed everyone that he was more interested in enjoying the baubles of office around the world, than representing good families in need of a voice here at home.


    “Our success in collecting these signatures has in part been helped by the fact that many voters have had enough of being ignored by arrogant politicians. This Bradford anti-smacking law has been the latest example of a blatant disregard for our democracy as parliament has passed a long line of laws against the will of the majority of New Zealanders. I am determined not to let them get away with this one,” said Mr Baldock.

    Ends

    Larry Baldock
    Party Leader
    Phone: 021 86 4833
    Email: l.baldock@xtra.co.nz

  • Child discipline law one year old tomorrow

    http://www.odt.co.nz/news/politics/10397/child-discipline-law-one-year-old-tomorrow

    http://www.stuff.co.nz/4591239a11.html


    Fri, 20 Jun 2008


    As the first anniversary of the so-called anti-smacking legislation rolls around, campaigners will again present a petition trying to get the law overturned.

    But the architect of the bill, Green MP Sue Bradford, says the new law is working well and should be left alone.

    The first anniversary of the controversial law is tomorrow, a day Unicef says is cause for celebration.

    Ms Bradford’s legislation amended section 59 of the Crimes Act to remove the defence of reasonable force for parents who physically discipline their children.

    The amendment, which was supported by the overwhelming majority of Parliament, gave police discretion to judge whether a reported offence warranted prosecution.

    There is to be a review of the law next June, two years after its introduction.

    Unicef executive director Dennis McKinlay said fears that good parents would face charges for minor infringements of the law had been well and truly laid to rest.

    “Police and the public have shown that this law works well and that parents can find better and more constructive ways to discipline and guide children than hitting them,” Mr McKinlay said.

    However, Kiwi Party leader Larry Baldock and supporters will on Monday again present signatures on a petition trying to force a referendum that would ask the question: “Should a smack as part of good parental correction be a criminal offence in New Zealand.”

    When the petition was presented earlier, supporters had collected 324,316 signatures, but after these were checked for validity there were only 269,500 — less than the 10 percent of enrolled voters which has to be reached for a referendum to be held.

    Mr Baldock today said the petition, to be presented to the Clerk of the House on Monday, would be checked and a random sample audited over the next two months to see whether the 285,027 signatures were valid.

  • Coming Events – June 2008

    Collecting signatures for the CIR – Section 59

    Wellington

    *Wayne is keen to swamp the All Black test match against Ireland, all
    hands on deck would be much appreciated.

    Wayne can be contacted on

    021308679

    wellington@unityforliberty.net.nz

    Auckland

    The big push is happening in Auckland,

    Our big push starts with the Warriors game on Friday night, ticket sales
    start at 2pm and the gates open at 5pm, our intention is to start
    gathering from 2pm onwards. If we could muster 20 or 30 folk there is no
    reason why we could not realize 2-3000 sigs in the one evening.

    All areas

    Saturday, I encourage the targeting of your local sports fields, we had
    a great response from Papakura last week. If you feel a little
    apprehensive about this then the irony is that you are probably the
    right person for the job. We have found the best and most successful
    approach has been a “quiet excuse me sir/madam, we have a petition you
    would like to sign”, works 99.9% of the time.

    Saturday night, you can use your imagination, I intend on visiting a few
    of the local bars.

    Auckland the weekend of June 7 & 8 through to June 14th June.

    It will be tables on footpaths in normal shopping areas, (not malls) for a

    few hours everyday over lunchtimes. Can I please hear from anyone who

    could volunteer some time for this in Auckland

    Craig Hill

    You can contact me on mobile 021746113

    craig@unityforliberty.net.nz

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    Hamilton to include efforts at Mystery Creek June 11-14th

    Larry Baldock
    Phone: 021 86 4833
    Email: l.baldock@xtra.co.nz

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    All areas and other people

    It would be fabulous if we all collected what we can over the next three weeks and we were surprised that our total could even grow to 390,000 to match the number in the film ‘Amazing Grace’ where William Wilberforce rolled out the petition in the House of Commons and shouted, “No matter how loud you shout you will not drown out the voice of the people!”


    If everyone reading this could spend even 1 hour at a table on the street and collect just another 40 signatures we could do it!

    Let’s make sure they hear us!

    Remember to ask if people have already signed. No duplicates!

    The CIR Petition

    With only two weeks till we have to submit the petition back to the Clerk of the House to check for validity, NOW is the time to sign in order to have some democracy over the “anti-smacking” law.

    Please go NOW to

    Download the petition + FaQ (3 pages)

    Download the petition only (1 page)

    and print it, sign it, and post them into P.O. Box 9228 Greerton, Tauranga.

    Also you could email your friends and family and ask them to sign it, or alternatively take it into work. You will be amazed by the positive response. Or do both

  • Coming Events – Queens Birthday W/e and June 2008

    Collecting signatures for the CIR – Section 59

    Queens’s Birthday weekend

    Gore

    I am calling on you all to make contact with people that you may know to
    help collect signatures this week during the Gold Guitars in Gore. This
    is a big event and some help would be super. There will be busking
    Thursday, Friday and Saturday so I do need to plan with H&J Smith’s.
    All that is required is a warm coat, gloves, hat and a smile. Come along
    to The Gold Guitar events at the same time. Gore is the place to be this
    Queens Birthday weekend.

    Natalie
    Phone 0272174666

    Christchurch are going hard at it this weekend with plans to collect at the

    Super 14 final, the Marathon and also a motor-cross event.

    Andy

    phone: 03 357 4599 (or) 021 1140 751.

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    Auckland the weekend of June 7 & 8 through to June 14th June.

    It will be tables on footpaths in normal shopping areas, (not malls) for a

    few hours everyday over lunchtimes. Can I please hear from anyone who

    could volunteer some time for this in Auckland

    Craig Hill
    021746113

    “““““““““““““““““““““““““““““

    Hamilton to include efforts at Mystery Creek June 11-14th if we can get in.

    Larry Baldock
    Phone: 021 86 4833
    Email: l.baldock@xtra.co.nz

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    All areas and other people

    It would be fabulous if we all collected what we can over the next three weeks and we were surprised that our total could even grow to 390,000 to match the number in the film ‘Amazing Grace’ where William Wilberforce rolled out the petition in the House of Commons and shouted, “No matter how loud you shout you will not drown out the voice of the people!”


    If everyone reading this could spend even 1 hour at a table on the street and collect just another 40 signatures we could do it!

    Let’s make sure they hear us!

    Remember to ask if people have already signed. No duplicates!

  • CIR Update no 28

    Hi everyone.
    Well after a few productive days and the joint efforts of Craig Hill from Auckland, Marion, Elspeth and Jo from Tauranga and David and team from Hamilton that collected approx 1200 at the Winter show and other efforts around the country we now have a total of 357,706.

    In our travels around the South Island last month we managed to collect 370 in Invercargill, 170 in Gore, 270 Timaru and 150 in Greymouth. In every place we were simply parked in a parallel park downtown with a table beside the van and three signs out. People were so happy to have a chance to sign. You could make someones day like this also! Some even phoned their friends and they jumped in their cars and came down to sign.

    I know that Christchurch are going hard at it this weekend with plans to collect at the Super 14 final, the Marathon and also a motor-cross event.

    Natalie is going to make her presence felt down south at the Gore Golden Guitars and is looking for any helpers that may be available.

    I am trying hard to find a way into the Mystery Creek field days June 11-14th. If anyone may know of a stall or booth to sublease, or someone that might let us set up a table in one corner of their space, please let me know. The thousands that we could definitely collect there would be a great way to finish the campaign and ensure we have sufficient.

    Media coverage on Monday after Family First’s poll results were excellent and I am confident there are thousands of Kiwis out there desperately wanting to put their name to our petition before it closes off.

    The new goal
    At least 370,000

    The final plan.
    We have until the end of June before the final deadline to resubmit the petition with all the additional signatures.
    However I am a little concerned that since they take 2 months to complete the audit, and then there is another month allowance under the Act before the Governor General sets a date I do not want to find that the PM has set the election date and dissolved parliament before the date for the referendum is set to coincide with polling day.

    We know that the election won’t be before October 1st as that is when all the lollies are given out from the budget .However parliament can be dissolved 5 weeks before polling day.
    This means Parliament could rise for the elections anytime from about the end of Aug. T
    My own view, along with many others is that the elections will not be until November 15th.
    However it would be wise to get our signatures collected and in as soon as possible.

    If we have a good weekend over Queens’s birthday, our total could be well over 360,000 by the first week of June. With a concerted effort then for the two weeks of June we could reach our new target of 270,000 by about June 14th and be ready to hand them in.

    I have had discussion with Craig Hill from Unity4Liberty about a final effort in Auckland the weekend of June 7 & 8 through to June 14th. It will be tables on footpaths in normal shopping areas, (not malls) for a few hours everyday over lunchtimes.


    Can I please hear from anyone who could volunteer some time for this in Auckland or Hamilton to include efforts at Mystery Creek if we can get in.

    It would be fabulous if we all collected what we can over the next three weeks and we were surprised that our total could even grow to 390,000 to match the number in the film ‘Amazing Grace’ where William Wilberforce rolled out the petition in the House of Commons and shouted, “No matter how loud you shout you will not drown out the voice of the people!”


    If everyone receiving this could spend even 1 hour at a table on the street and collect just another 40 signatures we could do it!

    Let’s make sure they hear us!

    Remember to ask if people have already signed. No duplicates!

    Warm regards

    Larry Baldock
    Party Leader Kiwi Party
    Phone: 021 86 4833
    Email: l.baldock@xtra.co.nz

  • NZ Herald editorial reeks of arrogance!

    Responding to the NZ Herald editorial this morning, Petition organiser & Kiwi Party leader Larry Baldock said the author’s opinion would change rapidly if they were a parent and had just received a visit from the Police or CYFS.

    “The author is right about one thing and one thing only. The law change has made no difference to the awful rates of child abuse it was intended to address. When it comes to the 48% of good parent’s in the survey that have admitted to still occasionally smacking their children it is not true to say it has been business as usual. We have heard tens of thousands of Kiwi Parents at our petition tables express that they now operate in a climate of fear. That is what this law change has done and the amendment of John Key has done nothing much to alleviate that.
    The NZ Herald shows an enormous contradiction in their attitude when they railed against the EFA and said it had to be repealed, but are prepared to allow the climate of fear to prevail over the majority of good Mums and Dads in this country with a do nothing about it attitude.

    By publishing the true and accurate accounts of those affected by this law, Bob McCoskrie at Family First has done everyone in this country a service. That is hardly alarmism. There have been many other stories identified but because of the fear of further consequences some have not wanted to publicly tell their stories.

    The arrogance and superior attitude behind the editorial statement “there are, as every sensible parent knows, better ways to correct bad behaviour, but if parents sometimes use more primitive means the law can be reasonable,” makes my blood boil. For thousands of years loving hard working parents have raised healthy well balanced respectful kids by using appropriate physical discipline and this journalist, with a stroke of their pen, feels so enlightened in our modern world to be able to pass judgement upon them by calling their parenting primitive. That is appalling!
    What will definitely create a primitive society and return to us the barbarianism of the past, is the failure to properly discipline children and teach them respect for authority.

    If the author is worried about the debate being stirred up all over again after the election and the referendum I would put their mind at rest. If the Kiwi Party is in a position to exercise influence over a National led government the Bradford Act will be gone by lunchtime. No drawn out select committee with submissions and debates. One session of urgency is all it will take, and good parents will be able to get on with the most important job in this country, that of raising good kids, without having to look over their shoulder all the time to see what liberal do-gooder might be watching and waiting to dobb them in.

    Finally I have to say how disappointing it was to see that the author was unwilling to put their name to their opinion piece. More than 350,000 Kiwis have been concerned enough about the Bradford anti-smacking law that they have placed their name to the petition in broad daylight. Some of them, like police, social workers and Plunket employees have done so while expressing a concern that there have been veiled suggestions that they should not be doing so.
    We undermine our freedom when we lack the courage to put our name to our convictions,” said Mr Baldock.

    Ends
    Contact

    Larry Baldock
    Party Leader Kiwi Party
    Phone: 021 86 4833
    Email: l.baldock@xtra.co.nz