27 Aug 2009

Smacking referendum organiser wants audience with PM

11:12 pm on 27 August 2009

The organiser of the referendum on smacking wants a "personal audience" with Prime Minister John Key.

In an open letter, Larry Baldock says he is speaking for the 88% of voters who said a smack as part of good parental correction should not be a criminal offence.

In his letter, Mr Baldock claims Mr Key's door has been open to the anti-smacking lobby. He wants to meet the Prime Minister personally to express his views.

National and Labour have declared they will block a pro-smacking bill, drawn in the name of ACT MP John Boscawen. Both parties believe the current law is working well.

The Office of the Prime Minister says Mr Baldock is welcome to his views but the Government is maintaining its stance that the law will be changed only if there is proof good parents are being criminalised.

Green Party MP Sue Bradford is delighted the two major parties have indicated they will not support Mr Boscawen's member's allowing smacking for correctional purposes.

Ms Bradford says she is pleased National and Labour are maintaining the stance they took in 2007 when her bill removed the defence of reasonable force.

Mr Boscawen says National cannot ignore the referendum result and should support the bill.

The member's bill is expected to be debated in the House in September. If it fails, Mr Boscawen says he and the ACT Party will keep campaigning on the issue.