Pro-smacking campaigners are calling on the Government to fast-track a law change to allow parents to smack their children, after a thumping referendum victory.
But Prime Minister John Key says he will not change the law, and the law's original sponsor, Green MP Sue Bradford, says the question was so flawed the result is meaningless.
Children's Commissioner John Angus also joined the chorus of people saying the law should remain, as "it is good for children".
The referendum, which cost $8.9 million and drew a voter turnout larger than most local body elections, asked: Should a smack, as part of good parental correction, be a criminal offence in New Zealand?
In preliminary results issued last night, 87.6 per cent of those who voted answered No, and 11.81 per cent said Yes.
More than 1,622,000 people or 54 per cent of enrolled voters voted.
Mr Key said he "took the message seriously" and would take a series of proposals to the Cabinet on Monday.
The proposals stopped short of a law change, but he would not say whether he was planning to give new instructions to police. "It is my belief that the law is working and that at this point we don't need to change the law," he said.
"I don't think a law change is necessary. There are other changes that fall short of changing the law that I think can be introduced."
Mr Key has said he smacked his two children "very lightly and in moderation" when they were younger.
read the whole aarticle http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/2776861/Key-says-no-to-changing-smacking-law
and that's the point, Key is intelligent enough to know that no parent will be prosecuted for a SMACK - which is what Smelly Baldrick, Dream Builder and others cannot figure out for themselves.
But Prime Minister John Key says he will not change the law, and the law's original sponsor, Green MP Sue Bradford, says the question was so flawed the result is meaningless.
Children's Commissioner John Angus also joined the chorus of people saying the law should remain, as "it is good for children".
The referendum, which cost $8.9 million and drew a voter turnout larger than most local body elections, asked: Should a smack, as part of good parental correction, be a criminal offence in New Zealand?
In preliminary results issued last night, 87.6 per cent of those who voted answered No, and 11.81 per cent said Yes.
More than 1,622,000 people or 54 per cent of enrolled voters voted.
Mr Key said he "took the message seriously" and would take a series of proposals to the Cabinet on Monday.
The proposals stopped short of a law change, but he would not say whether he was planning to give new instructions to police. "It is my belief that the law is working and that at this point we don't need to change the law," he said.
"I don't think a law change is necessary. There are other changes that fall short of changing the law that I think can be introduced."
Mr Key has said he smacked his two children "very lightly and in moderation" when they were younger.
read the whole aarticle http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/2776861/Key-says-no-to-changing-smacking-law
and that's the point, Key is intelligent enough to know that no parent will be prosecuted for a SMACK - which is what Smelly Baldrick, Dream Builder and others cannot figure out for themselves.