Bid to banish confusing referendum questions 

Source: NZPASue Bradford

Widespread concern over the poorly worded smacking referendum question has triggered moves to change the way future votes are organised.

The citizen initiated non-binding referendum asks: "Should a smack as part of good parental correction be a criminal offence in New Zealand?"

Labour leader Phil Goff says the question implies that if you vote 'yes' that you're in favour of criminal sanctions being taken against reasonable parents, when actually nobody believes that.

Green MP Sue Bradford is introducing a private members bill ruling out confusing questions, and the idea has high-level support.

"Holding a referendum is very expensive. I think it's in the public interest we have a question that is comprehendible," says John Key, Prime Minister.

Key says the question in the referendum runs the risk of being ambiguous.

Bradford's bill has to be drawn from a ballot though before it can be debated in parliament.

It's expected the smacking referendum will cost the taxpayer $9 million.

The referendum will be held by postal ballot from July 31 to August 21.