Royal Commission on family breakdown, family violence and child abuse an absolute necessity.

The Kiwi Party

Press Release 20 Jan 2011

Kiwi Party leader Larry Baldock confirmed the Party’s strong commitment to a Royal Commission in light of lobby group Family First’s call to make it a priority in election year.

“The wide powers and authority of a Royal Commission are needed because of the social mess New Zealand is in,” said Mr Baldock.

“We must turn our nation from the liberal experiments in social policy that have led to more family breakdown, violence and child abuse. It is fairly simple really. If the ideas of the ‘loony left’ worked, we would have a healthier society than 40 years ago, but everyone knows that is not the case. Our social problems are getting worse, our negative statistics always heading in the wrong direction, yet no Government so far has been prepared to accept their responsibility for the legislative and policy mistakes they have made.

“For almost a half century, in response to our youth teenage abortion rates and sexually transmitted disease epidemics, the regular annual call from Family Panning Association has been for more condoms. We now distribute them liberally compared to the 70’s and the problem continues to escalate, so you don’t have to be a rocket scientist to know that ain’t working!

“The latest mistake was, of course, the Anti-smacking law in 2007, and the subsequent ignoring of the 2009 referendum result that was overwhelmingly in favour of allowing parents to use a smack as part of good parental correction.

“Gordon Copeland and I drafted terms of reference for a Royal Commission when we launched the Kiwi Party in 2007. We then, along with help from many individuals and organisations, including Bob McCosckrie and Family First, collected more than 300,000 signatures on a petition to force a referendum in support of a Royal Commission.

“I applaud Family First Director Bob McCoskrie for his tireless efforts in lobbying for families," said the Kiwi Party leader.

Mr Baldock expressed his strong hope that in this election year we may see other political parties making their commitment to these policies designed to actually find answers to reverse the worrying social trends towards more family breakdown and dysfunction in our nation.

Draft Terms of Reference for Royal Commission PDF attached or click Draft Terms of Reference to view online.

ENDS

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