nz

20 February 2007

Media release

Outcome of 2nd Reading on the Crimes Amendment Bill critical

Tomorrow Parliament will vote again on the so called Sue Bradford Bill (Crimes Amendment Bill). EPOCH New Zealand has been working for over 10 years to get change on section 59.

Beth Wood spokesperson for EPOCH NZ says “The outcome of the vote tomorrow is critical. Should the vote go against reform we will be stuck with the present unsatisfactory legislation that disadvantages children in the Courts, is out of line with positive parenting and family violence prevention initiatives and breaches children’s rights”.

“Over the last ten there has been a huge growth in support for change. Many of us believe that a positive outcome for this bill is the single most significant opportunity to improve the lives of New Zealand children that there has been in many years”.

“While a positive outcome tomorrow is not the end of the Parliamentary process it will be an encouraging sign that politicians recognise what is best for children. It would indicate that they are not influenced by the agendas of people unwilling to give up an outdated tradition that is not consistent with what we now know about effective discipline”.

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