By Angela Beswick
Parents who lightly smack their children should not fear being treated like criminals, Prime Minister John Key said today.
Mr Key took a series of proposals to Cabinet today following Friday's resounding referendum victory for opponents of the 2007 child discipline law change.
"The referendum research reinforces the message that parents do not want to see themselves criminalised for a light smack," Mr Key said.
Preliminary results of the smacking referendum found more than 85 percent of voters answered no when asked; 'Should a smack, as part of good parents correction, be a criminal offence in New Zealand?'
Despite earlier criticism, Mr Key said he would not ignore the referendum results. Cabinet has agreed on a number of measures to give parents confidence they will not be criminalised for lightly smacking their children.
Police and the Chief Executive of the Ministry of Social Development will lead a review of Child Youth and Families polices and procedures - including the referral procedure.
Mr Key says the review will help; "identify any changes necessary or desirable to ensure good parents are treated as Parliament intended".
An independent person would assist in the review, which would be completed by December.
A report on the effects of the law will be brought forward from the end of the year, to late September. Police will continue their ongoing reviews of the law.
"If police data indicates a worrying trend, the law will be changed," Mr Key says.
"As I've said repeatedly - I believe the law is working as intended."
The referendum was organised after Green MP Sue Bradford's member's bill was passed in 2007. That law change amended the Crimes Act to remove the defence of reasonable force when an adult was charged with assaulting a child.
Voter turnout on the referendums initial result was 54 percent - just over 1.6 million votes were cast.
The final result will be announced tomorrow.
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