26 July, 2005

Media statement
For immediate use

Sue Bradford’s Bill should go to a Select Committee

Every Child Counts urges politicians to send Sue Bradford’s Bill for the repeal of section 59 of the Crimes Act to a select committee. The Bill is expected to receive its first reading on Wednesday, 27 July.

“Just prior to a general election is not the right time to consider such an important piece of legislative change,” said Murray Edridge, spokesperson for Every Child Counts. “Whether one is for repeal or not, the bill needs careful deliberation with the views of the public being listened to and reflected upon. The last thing our community needs is legislation determined by interest groups pressuring candidates in an election campaign.”

“A select committee hearing provides the opportunity for legislators to receive submissions from all the interested parties – parents, children’s organisations, academics, faith-based organisations and children themselves. Once those views have been considered then parliament as a whole can have an informed debate,” continued Murray Edridge.

Every Child Counts is a coalition including Barnardos, Plunket, Save the Children, Unicef NZ and AUT’s Institute of Public Policy, supported by more than 290 other organisations and thousands of individual supporters. The public are invited to demonstrate their support for the nation’s children by adding their names to the Every Child Counts campaign at: www.everychildcounts.org.nz

ENDS

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