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Archived Press Releases 2009

ANOTHER PIECE OF LABOUR’S LEGISLATION GONE, NOW GET RID OF THE ANTI-SMACKING LAW

(1st July 2009)

The recommendation that the Foreshore and Seabed Act should be repealed is the latest in a series of legislation to be revoked or reviewed, and the anti-smacking law should be next according to the Sensible Sentencing Trust.

Trust Spokesman Garth McVicar said that if the Foreshore and Seabed Act is trashed it will mean that the National/ACT Government will have annulled four of Labours flagship policies.

"Labours disastrous Bail Act, the Electoral Finance Act and the proposal to establish a Sentencing Council have all gone, and now it seems the Foreshore and Seabed Act will also be sent to the trash bin."

"That means that four of Labours flag-ship policies have been revoked, all that remains is the dreaded anti-smacking law."

"Labour went to the Election bragging about their achievements, but they failed to listen to the voters - they gambled and lost."

Mr McVicar said by blatantly ignoring the majority of voters who want to get rid of the anti-smacking law National is in danger of losing their own support base.

"The Prime Minister has said time and time again if he had the evidence the anti-smacking law wasn’t working he would get rid of it – he now has the evidence – this law has and is continuing to criminalize good parents."

"What more does the Prime Minister want? The polls are unanimous, the people want it gone!"

"I am sure there are more important things to spend $9 million on than a referendum he has said he will ignore anyway."

"John Key has a financial background, he also promised to listen to the people, it now appears he is prepared to pour money down the drain and treat the people with contempt."

"The last Government did the same – and they have gone."

Regards,

Garth McVicar
National Spokesperson,
Sensible Sentencing Trust.