Independent MP Taito Phillip Field is running the show!
Radio New Zealand - 9:08pm on 14 Mar 2007
Newly independent MP Taito Phillip Field has moved to delay voting on the bill outlawing the use of force when disciplining children by introducing 50 proposed amendments.
The House was debating Green MP Sue Bradford's bill clause by clause on Wednesday and has passed a vote on the title of the bill.
The title was changed to the Crimes (Substituted Section 59) Amendment Bill during the select committee process, after Ms Bradford's original bill removed justifiable force as a defence to assaulting a child.
Labour has shrugged off criticism from National that its MPs have been whipped into line to support the bill, saying it does not regard this as a conscience issue. Labour MPs were holding firm ahead of the debate that they would vote as a bloc in support of the bill.
The National Party says there are at least eight Labour MPs who disagree with the bill and if they could vote according to their conscience the bill would be defeated.
Radio New Zealand political staff say it is understood a handful of National MPs who have declared their support are coming under pressure to change their vote.
Meanwhile, Mr Field has introduced 50 amendments to the bill, which all have to be voted on individually, meaning the final vote could be up to a month away.
Case for referendum
United Future deputy leader Judy Turner put her case to Parliament for a referendum on the bill that would extend the start date of the bill until the next election to allow for a public referendum.
She says a large number of voters have serious concerns about the outcomes of the bill.
Bid for limited force
The bill returned to Parliament for another critical debate on Wednesday when a bid by the National Party to water down the legislation looked set to fail.
MPs were to consider an amendment by National's Chester Borrows which would allow parents to use limited force, but Radio New Zealand political staff say that is unlikely to pass.
Mr Borrows told Morning Report on Wednesday he will not stop pushing for an amendment until all the votes are cast.
The bill, which would amend Section 59 of the Crimes Act, passed its second reading in Parliament by 70 votes to 51 on 21 February.
Radio New Zealand political staff said votes in favour of the legislation would come from Labour, the Greens, Progressives leader Jim Anderton, United Future leader Peter Dunne and two New Zealand First MPs. With the Maori Party support, the bill would have 63 votes to 57.
Copyright © 2007 Radio New Zealand
Newly independent MP Taito Phillip Field has moved to delay voting on the bill outlawing the use of force when disciplining children by introducing 50 proposed amendments.
The House was debating Green MP Sue Bradford's bill clause by clause on Wednesday and has passed a vote on the title of the bill.
The title was changed to the Crimes (Substituted Section 59) Amendment Bill during the select committee process, after Ms Bradford's original bill removed justifiable force as a defence to assaulting a child.
Labour has shrugged off criticism from National that its MPs have been whipped into line to support the bill, saying it does not regard this as a conscience issue. Labour MPs were holding firm ahead of the debate that they would vote as a bloc in support of the bill.
The National Party says there are at least eight Labour MPs who disagree with the bill and if they could vote according to their conscience the bill would be defeated.
Radio New Zealand political staff say it is understood a handful of National MPs who have declared their support are coming under pressure to change their vote.
Meanwhile, Mr Field has introduced 50 amendments to the bill, which all have to be voted on individually, meaning the final vote could be up to a month away.
Case for referendum
United Future deputy leader Judy Turner put her case to Parliament for a referendum on the bill that would extend the start date of the bill until the next election to allow for a public referendum.
She says a large number of voters have serious concerns about the outcomes of the bill.
Bid for limited force
The bill returned to Parliament for another critical debate on Wednesday when a bid by the National Party to water down the legislation looked set to fail.
MPs were to consider an amendment by National's Chester Borrows which would allow parents to use limited force, but Radio New Zealand political staff say that is unlikely to pass.
Mr Borrows told Morning Report on Wednesday he will not stop pushing for an amendment until all the votes are cast.
The bill, which would amend Section 59 of the Crimes Act, passed its second reading in Parliament by 70 votes to 51 on 21 February.
Radio New Zealand political staff said votes in favour of the legislation would come from Labour, the Greens, Progressives leader Jim Anderton, United Future leader Peter Dunne and two New Zealand First MPs. With the Maori Party support, the bill would have 63 votes to 57.
Copyright © 2007 Radio New Zealand
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