Porirua becomes first council to back anti-smacking bill

From Stuff Porirua City Council last night became the first local authority in the country to fly its flag in support of the anti-smacking bill. The council unanimously passed a motion supporting the bill before Parliament, which would outlaw the defence of reasonable force to discipline children. "This is not an anti-disciplinary move it's an anti-abuse move," Councillor Sue Dow, who drafted the motion, said. She hoped other councils would follow Porirua's lead. Porirua Mayor Jenny Brash said the council was keen to stress that the bill itself was not enough to stem the abuse, advocating a extensive public educational campaign teaching alternative disciplinary methods. Councillor Taima Fagoloa said: "Legal reform is not of itself enough. Government needs to promote positive, non-violent child rearing methods." "We have to show central government politicians that there is grassroots support to protect our children." Parliament's justice committee is holding hearings on Green MP Sue Bradford's bill to remove the defence of reasonable force in the discipline of children. Opponents say the Crimes (Abolition of Force as Justification for Child Discipline) Amendment Bill, would outlaw smacking but supporters say it only aims to stop people dodging conviction for attacks on children with whips, pipes and pieces of wood.