Report on Section 59 tabled in Parliament
11 November 2009.
Ministry of Social Development completes a review of the impact of the substitution of section 59 of the Crimes Act.
Ministry of Social Development Chief Executive Peter Hughes confirmed that he has completed a review of the impact of the substitution of section 59 of the Crimes Act.
The report pursuant to Section 7 (2) of the Crimes (Substituted Section 59) Amendment Act has been tabled by the Minister of Social Development and Employment and is available from Parliament.
"The report is self-explanatory. In examining all the relevant data available I have not been able to find evidence to show that parents are being subject to unnecessary state intervention for occasionally lightly smacking their children.
"That said, the available data does not allow me to conclusively discount the possibility that there may have been isolated cases where this has occurred," said Peter Hughes.
A further report on the substitution of section 59 of the Crimes Act is due with Prime Minister, and the Ministers of Police and Social Development and Employment before the end of the year. That report will review policies and procedures to identify any changes that may be necessary to ensure that good parents are treated as Parliament intended and the provisions of the law are applied to those who abuse children.
