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The no's have it in the citizens initiated referendum on smacking.
New Zealanders were asked to vote yes or no on the question
"Should a smack as part of good parental correction be a criminal
offence in New Zealand?"
The Chief Electoral Officer has just released the preliminary
result of the postal ballot run over the past three weeks.
87.6% have voted no compared to 11.81% who have voted yes.
The referendum is non-binding on the government.
A 2007 amendment to the Crimes Act, promoted by Green MP Sue Bradford, made it illegal for parents to use force against children for correction. But the change also allowed police the discretion not to prosecute inconsequential cases.
Opponents forced the referendum, saying the law interferes with parents' rights to discipline their children and makes good parents criminals.
Voter turnout on the basis of the preliminary results is 54%.
The total votes cast were 1,622,952 out of 3,002,968 voters enrolled.
The final result is expected at 5pm next Tuesday.
Click here for a timeline of the anti-smacking legislation.
What are your feelings on the referendum and the
smacking issue as a whole? Have your say on our messageboard
below.
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Add a Comment:
Post new commentObey Democracy said on 2009-08-28 @ 16:17 NZDT: Report abusive post
Time to exercise some democracy and tear this illegitimate Law Down. Spread the word gather at parliament on 09/09/09 at 9am. It is time to make a stand for democracy that these creeps can't defy. It will be an asset to New Zealand for generations to come. Never again should any Political party be able to show such contempt and corruptibility to obey tiny minorities, UN dictates or whatever is operating Key. 09/09/09@9am/9pm Parliament/MPS Office or CYFS Carry signs saying "OBEY"
Nomanor said on 2009-08-27 @ 14:53 NZDT: Report abusive post
1 Leading: the wording of the referendum was bias. Which I believe led people to vote against the bill. 2 Abuse: parents who actually beat their children before the bill were able to get off the assault charges on reason of "Discipline". Misinterpretation makes parents believe that actual disciplinary measures will put them in prison. 3 Resolution: Key refuses to repeal the bill and give child abusers a GOJF card and protects against innocent people getting in trouble. Key has my vote.
samuelpike10 said on 2009-08-26 @ 22:44 NZDT: Report abusive post
What type country has Aotearoa become? We have elected members to parliament who do as they will and not as the people ask. I FEEL THAT WE SHOULD BILL THE COST OF THE REFERENDUM TO THE MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT. If they acted appropriately in the first place we would not be in this situation. We have lost our position as a best practice leader.
mcarky said on 2009-08-26 @ 21:13 NZDT: Report abusive post
Paul Henry challenges the PM on folic acid in bread and in about a week the legislation is dropped. 88% Kiwis voice there disapproval for Sue Bradfords smacking bill, but yet it remains. I would really love to hear Paul Henry challenge the PM on this one. Why the about face? Whats the agenda?
klemon said on 2009-08-26 @ 20:06 NZDT: Report abusive post
So where do we turn? Labour stank, National won't listen, all the other parties are nuts. There is pretty much no one left to vote for. I think I've just lost faith in the only country I've ever been in.