PSA Media Release
August 24, 2009
For Immediate Use
Govt puts CYF staff in difficult position

The Public Service Association is concerned the government’s response to the referendum on the 2007 child discipline law could put Child Youth and Family staff in a difficult position.

Prime Minister John Key has announced that the government is asking Child Youth and Family and the police to review their procedures on how they apply the 2007 child discipline law.

“The government is caught between the referendum result, which opponents of the law are hailing as a victory, and its reluctance to change the law.”

“The government has put itself in a difficult position and has come up with a compromise option.”

“Our concern is that the government’s problem is being passed onto CYF staff and as a result they’ll end up in effect being asked to ignore the child discipline law.”

“It’s unacceptable for public service workers to be put in a position where they have to ignore the law,” says Brenda Pilott.

ENDS

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