Family Integrity

Tag: Section 59

  • Family policies released at Family First Forum

    Family policies released at Family First Forum

    Monday, 8 September 2008, 11:00 am
    Press Release: The Kiwi Party

    Kiwi Party Leader Larry Baldock released the party’s Family Policy brochure at the Family First Forum today.

    Speaking to the forum delegates Mr Baldock said, “This brochure brings together our policies from a wide range of portfolios which will, we believe, impact positively on New Zealand families.

    Of course our number one priority is to ensure that the referendum on the anti-smacking law is respected and that law repealed to return parental authority back to the homes of good parents all over this country.”

    “This list of family policies makes it abundantly clear that our vision for the strengthening of family life in New Zealand does not rest on one issue alone. The Kiwi party is not a single issue party. The truth is our nation’s families have been negatively affected by so many government policies and laws over the past few decades. These now need to be rectified and we have a huge amount of work ahead of us in that regard. It is difficult to prioritise just the “top ten” when they are all so important to the health of our nation.

    “What we can be clear about is that the top ten priorities released by the National party at their conference last month do not have a single item that addresses the social engineering of Labour’s last nine years.

    “We believe it is vitally important that we establish a Royal Commission to begin ‘understanding and addressing the wider causes of family breakdown, family violence and child abuse.’ We have already written comprehensive draft terms of reference for that Commission’s task, which would also include reviewing the impact of the DPB as part of welfare reform.

    “As partner to the next government we would immediately begin investing in pre-marriage, marriage enrichment and parenting education programmes to put the nation on a path towards rebuilding stronger families.

    “Our family policies will make a very positive difference to the quality of life for current and future generations of Kiwis. We look forward to the support of the family organisations represented at this important Forum, as we embark on our election campaign over the next 8 -10 weeks” said the Kiwi Party leader.
    ENDS
    Attachments:

    Family_policy.pdf
    Draft_Terms_of_reference_for_Royal_Commission-1.pdf

  • Nats to give cash from family body to churches

    Nats to give cash from family body to churches
    Dominion Post and Christchurch Press 09 September 2008


    A National government will axe the Families Commission and give the savings to community groups, including churches, leader John Key has told a Family First forum. …
    The National leader was questioned on the removal of section 59 of the Crimes Act, which took away the defence of reasonable force for parents who hit their children. National supported the legislation but has been under pressure from lobby groups such as Family First to repeal it. One man asked Mr Key whether he would restore his right to “discipline my child lovingly”. Mr Key said that he sought a compromise on section 59 because it was clear that Labour was going to force the bill through anyway. He repeated his previous pledge that if he saw evidence the legislation was not working he would repeal it. “To this point I haven’t seen such evidence.” But he added that if an upcoming referendum – which calls for parental correction through a smack to be lawful – gave a strong mandate for change then a future government would need to listen to the result.
    Mr Key was also asked whether he supported a law change on abortion. He said it was a conscience issue, but he did not support any change to the existing law.
    http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/dominionpost/4685886a23917.html
    http://www.stuff.co.nz/4685704a6160.html?source=email

  • Parents Reject Anti-Smacking Bill

    http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0808/S00017.htm

    Parents Reject Anti-Smacking Bill

    Saturday, 2 August 2008, 4:07 pm
    Press Release: Family First

    MEDIA RELEASE

    87% Of Parents of Young Children Reject Anti-Smacking Bill

    Family First NZ says that the Littlies website poll which found that 87% of parents of young children don’t think the anti-smacking law is effective is confirmation that NZ’ers have soundly rejected the law change and its time the politicians listened and changed it.

    The www.littlies.co.nz poll asked “One year on, do you think the anti-smacking Bill has proved to be effective?” 87% said No, and a further 7% were unsure. Only 7% said it was effective.

    According to their website, Littlies Magazine is the country’s fastest growing and only monthly parenting magazine. They reach more families with children 0-5 years than any other parenting magazine in New Zealand (81,000 families).

    “This is the voice of kiwi parents. The opposition to the anti-smacking law is just as strong as it was when it was first pushed by the Prime Minister and Sue Bradford,” says Bob McCoskrie, National Director of Family First NZ, “and follows on from other polls which have recorded similar opposition.”

    A Research International poll in February found that 74% parents believed it should be legal to smack; a Family First commissioned poll in May found that 85% wanted the law changed to allow light smacking; a TVNZ website poll in June found that 85% wanted the anti-smacking law scrapped; and a NZ Herald poll in June found that 81% wanted a referendum on the smacking legislation at this year’s election.

    “The anti-smacking lobby has tried to argue that NZ’ers have changed their mind on the legislation and that the 390,000 NZ’ers who signed the petition were either misled or have changed their mind. These arguments have been found wanting and smack of desperation,” says Mr McCoskrie.

    “It’s time to tackle the real causes of child abuse, violence and crime without criminalising the efforts of good parents raising productive and law-abiding citizens of the future.”

    “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,” says Mr McCoskrie.

    ENDS

  • The Repeal of Parental Authority and Turning Parents into Criminals

    The Repeal of Parental Authority and Turning Parents into Criminals

    This pamphlet will first look at Section 59; then at the Bill; then at what might be called the “Unintended Consequences” of the Bill; then finally make some recommendations.

    When we changed websites these brochures were lost in the change. Sorry this was not picked up until now. We have been asked to put these back on our website. This brochure was written half way through the Section 59 debate.

  • THE CHRISTIAN FOUNDATIONS OF THE INSTITUTION OF CORPORAL CORRECTION-For Printing out

    For printing out and giving away:

    Christian Foundations

    What does the Bible have to say about…
     Why we need to smack
     What we use to smack
     What we are trying to achieve
     How we do it
     The tongue-lashing alternative

    When we changed websites these brochures were lost in the change. Sorry this was not picked up until now. We have been asked to put these back on our website. These brochures were written before Sue Bradford’s Section 59 Bill was pulled out of the Ballot.

  • Ban-smacking? – read on computer

    For Reading on your Computer:

    ban-smacking?

    What Does the Law Really Say?
    Is Smacking the Same as Abuse?
    Will Parents’ Authority Be Taken Away?
    Will This Turn Parents into Criminals?
    Questions….and Answers

    When we changed websites these brochures were lost in the change. Sorry this was not picked up until now. We have been asked to put these back on our website. These brochures were written before Sue Bradford’s Section 59 Bill was pulled out of the Ballot.

  • Ban Smacking? – For printing out and giving away

    Ban smacking?

    What Does the Law Really Say?
    Is Smacking the Same as Abuse?
    Will Parents’ Authority Be Taken Away?
    Will This Turn Parents into Criminals?
    Questions….and Answers

    When we changed websites these brochures were lost in the change. Sorry this was not picked up until now. We have been asked to put these back on our website. These brochures were written before Sue Bradford’s Section 59 Bill was pulled out of the Ballot.

  • More Good Parents Victims of Anti-Smacking Law

    http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0807/S00332.htm

    More Good Parents Victims of Anti-Smacking Law

    Monday, 28 July 2008, 8:29 am
    Press Release: Family First


    More Evidence of Good Parents Victims of Anti-Smacking Law

    Family First has published advertisements in the Sunday papers highlighting further cases of good parents being reported, investigated, persecuted, and even prosecuted as a result of the anti-smacking law.

    “All NZ’ers want to tackle the issue of child abuse but the anti-smacking law, and the compromise brokered by John Key, has not brought about the desired result,” says Bob McCoskrie, National Director of Family First NZ. “Even the architect of the bill, Green MP Sue Bradford, has admitted that the bill was never intended to solve the problem of child abuse and child violence.”

    “But now we have good parents being caught in the cross-fire of our worthy desire to tackle the real causes of child abuse.”

    Family First has documented evidence of a number of disturbing cases including:

    * a father separated from his children for 6 months by CYF because of malicious claims by mother that he had smacked them – CYF eventually re-allowed access but only due to a strong supporter who knew the system
    * a father prosecuted and convicted because of pushing the upper arm of his daughter 2-3 times and demanding she listen to her mother
    * a father dragged through the court process only to turn up to the court case and the police to admit they had no evidence
    * a stepfather who had to physically restrain the arms of his stepdaughter, being interrogated for 2 hours almost 7 months after the incident, and 6 months later still not knowing the outcome
    * a CYFS Community Panel Board member telling Family First “I can say without a doubt, that in my time I have seen a small but a definite increase in ‘good’ parents being investigated by our CYFS case workers.”

    Other cases are documented on our website http://www.familyfirst.org.nz/index.cfm/CASES

    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).

    ENDS

  • Larry Baldock: National have no intention of repealing s59

    Hi everyone.

    Recent comments reported in the media by John key have made it abundantly clear that National have no intention of repealing Sue Bradford’s anti-smacking law.

    National’s call for the referendum to be held at the election so New Zealanders can have their say is meaningless if they are not prepared to listen and respond to the result of the referendum.

    You will recall I said very clearly that if we want to see the law changed it is essential that the Kiwi party hold the balance of power after this election.

    In less than 4 months New Zealand will hold a general election and we have much to do to prepare the Kiwi Party for a successful result.

    The good news is that we have come along way in the five months since our registration with the Electoral Commission was finalised.  Regional conferences have been held in eight cities and Kiwi Party committees have been established and are preparing for action in the coming months.

    The Party now has over 1000 members. At every meeting where we have the opportunity to present what the Kiwi Party stands for we find an almost 100% positive response from those who attend.

    National Conference
    In just over two weeks we will hold our Kiwi Party National conference in Auckland on Aug 9 at the Ellislie Racecourse.

    We have an exciting line up of speakers from within the party and invited guests. You can register directly on line.

    Nationwide Protest
    We are discussing the potential for launching a campaign to protest the Prime Ministers disregard for democracy by not holding the referendum at the election. We are formulating plans and will advise you shortly. I am keen to hear from anyone who would be interested in helping organise a protest gathering in your city or town.

    Warm regards,

    Larry Baldock
    Kiwi Party Leader.

    www.thekiwiparty.org.nz

  • Family First NZ comment on Vigilance needed still on child abuse

    From Family First NZ Website:

    http://www.familyfirst.org.nz/index.cfm/media_centre/recent_news/news/vigilance_needed_still_on_child_abuse.html

    Green Party MP Sue Bradford addresses the Children's Issues Centre national seminar in the Tower Lecture Theatre, at the University of Otago College of Education in Dunedin yesterday. Photo by Peter McIntosh.

    Green Party MP Sue Bradford addresses the Children’s Issues Centre national seminar in the Tower Lecture Theatre, at the University of Otago College of Education in Dunedin yesterday. Photo by Peter McIntosh.

    Vigilance needed still on child abuse

    should read Vigilance needed to keep smacking banned!)
    Otago Daily Times 26 July 08
    The repealing of section 59 of the Crimes Act was not “100% safe” (TRUE) and it was important to stay vigilant, Green Party MP Sue Bradford told those attending the Children’s Issues Centre national seminar in Dunedin yesterday. “There is still an ongoing political battle and it is not completely won.(TRUE) ” Ms Bradford is one of six speakers at the seminar, which is focused on moving on from the repealing of section 59.

    Polls showed the law change was a major election issue for about 5% of voters (TRUE), Ms Bradford said. The “most powerful forces” working against the law change were those involved in the petition for a referendum on the issue (FALSE – IT’S THE HUGE PROPORTION OF NZ’ERS). There was no question the petition had been “amazingly successful” (TRUE) given that it was very difficult to meet the required 10% target, she said. “They have poured a huge amount of time and money into it. (TIME YES MONEY NO) ” More signatures were collected for the petition after the first petition fell short (FALSE) when more than 5000 signatures were declared invalid (FALSE). A report on the validity of those further signatures was expected at the end of August.

    “I feel sure some of the people who signed it then have changed their mind since (FALSE), but that doesn’t negate the legality of those signatures.” Any potential threat to the law change would depend on the make-up of the next government (TRUE). Her biggest concern would be any attempt to change the law to define an acceptable level and nature of violence, as that would send the message violence against children was acceptable (FALSE), she said. The role of academics and researchers in any future debate would be “incredibly important”.

    There was no evidence people were being “dragged off to court” for minor offences (FALSE) and she welcomed research presented at the seminar which showed 44% of voters were in favour of the new legislation (FALSE), she said. “While Family First are creating the perception 80% are against it, I feel this is much more in line and that the proportion is about 50-50. (FALSE)”
    http://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/14996/vigilance-needed-still-child-abuse
    Family First Comment: Note that there is no reference to the continuing rate of child abuse deaths, the skyrocketing rates of CYF notifications, and the continued horror stories of real child abuse happening where there is drug and alcohol abuse, family breakdown, dysfunction etc.

    “The epidemic of child abuse and child violence in this country continues – sadly. My bill was never intended to solve that problem.”
    Sue Bradford – National Radio – 21 Dec 07

    Read Family First Media Releases
    Discredited Anti-Smacking Advocate Back in NZ
    Anti-Smacking Conference At Venue Where Research Contradicts