Turner seeks support to amend anti-smacking Bill

Monday, 12 March 2007, 5:54 pm
Press Release: United Future NZ Party
Monday, 12 March 2007

United Future deputy leader Judy Turner announced today she was seeking
support from all parties to include an amendment at the committee stage
of the Sue Bradford-sponsored anti-smacking Bill

Debate on the Bill is expected to resume next Wednesday. [14 March 07]

She said "My amendment seeks to ensure that if this Bill passes its
third reading with less than 60% support from the House, that it will
not become law until it has been confirmed by a referendum at the next
election.

"The amendment would mean that if a referendum was required, that it
could only be binding if 60% of voters participated and 60% supported
it.

"This is in keeping with United Future's policy position on bills that
are voted on largely by conscience, to ensure that unless there is clear
support within the House, such a bill can not proceed without public
opinion being considered.

"United Future has given serious consideration to the issue of Binding
Citizens Initiated Referenda and has focused our position on defining
what issues should be put to a referendum, and under what circumstances
should they be held.

"The experience of countries that have BCIR on any issue, is that voter
fatigue sets in and there is a low turn out on most issues, making a
mockery of the system.

"United Future's policy focuses on issues of conscience that are rarely
signaled in party policy manifestos and which can often succeed on the
slimmest of majorities," said Mrs Turner.