Smacking law shouldn't be changed

The Government should not change the law around smacking children, says National Family Spokesperson Judith Collins.

"The current law allows reasonable force. The problem is with those who break the law, and this usually occurs in unwell families.

"When people break the current law it is a symptom of a severely dysfunctional family, rather than a lack of law.

"The law shouldn't be changed unless it is going to be improved and no-one's come up with a satisfactory way to change it without making potential offenders of parents.

"Parents need the ability to discipline their child to prevent a dangerous behaviour developing. That doesn't condone physical abuse or excessive force.

"The overwhelming majority of people are against a law change. In an NFO poll published last night 81% percent of people opposed the law change and 74% felt smacking was acceptable.

"We need to support our parents but they also need to accept they are parents 24 hours, seven days a week, and part of that is being responsible for a child's safety, " Ms Collins said.

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