Sat, 22 Aug 2009 12:00a.m.
By Laura Turner
Opponents of the so-called anti-smacking law have threatened the Prime Minister following last night's referendum landslide that if he doesn't repeal the law, he will feel the wrath at the next election.
Around 1.6 million New Zealanders voted in the referendum, 88.1 percent voting 'no', and while John Key says he has taken notice, there is still no need for a law change.
Petition organiser Larry Baldock felt vindicated last night, winning 87 per cent of the vote. He had 1.4 million people support him, all the votes he needed except the one that holds the key to a law change.
"It's my belief that the law is working, and at this point we don't need to change the law," says Mr Key. "But it's also my intention to take to Cabinet next week a series of proposals which I believe will give parents in New Zealand comfort."
But Mr Baldock says he wants nothing less than a law change, and has issued an ultimatum to the Prime Minister.
"More people voted 'no' than voted for the National Party to make John Key Prime Minister, so if he thinks he can ignore this he's really kidding himself," says Mr Baldock.
In response to the question, 'Should a smack as part of good parental correction be a criminal offence in New Zealand?' the biggest support for a 'no' vote came from the Coromandel, Invercargill and New Plymouth. A higher than average number of votes in support of keeping smacking a criminal offence came from Helen Clark's old electorate Mt Albert, Dunedin, Wellington Central and Rongotai.
Phillipa Howden-Chapman voted 'yes'. She is also a member of the New Zealand Psychological Society that honoured Green Party MP Sue Bradford yesterday for her work in making smacking illegal.
Ms Howden-Chapman says a smack teaches children and society that violence is acceptable.
"When suddenly something happens and you don't know what to do you lash out, and in some cases it's a flick - but we know too often that can go to a smack, an open hand, a closed hand, a pushing against a wall."
She adds: "I think that it was such a badly-worded referendum question that we really can't know what most people are voting for, and we know only half the people voted."
But the pro-smacking campaigners say they will push this issue as far as they have to for another law change, and if Mr Key doesn't listen he will feel the impact at the next election.
"Many political commentators said this was the straw that broke the camel's back for Helen Clark's prime ministership," says Mr Baldock. "I hope John doesn't make the same mistake."
And politics is one place where time out is worse than a light smack.
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