Crimes (Substituted Section 59) Amendment Act 2007
The Crimes (Substituted Section 59) Amendment Act 2007 (formerly the Crimes (Abolition of Force as a Justification for Child Discipline) Amendment Bill) is an amendment to New Zealand's Crimes Act 1961 which removed the legal defence of "reasonable force" for parents prosecuted for assault on their children.
| Crimes (Substituted Section 59) Amendment Act 2007 | |
|---|---|
| New Zealand Parliament | |
| Royal assent | 21 May 2007 |
| Commenced | 21 June 2007 |
| Legislative history | |
| Introduced by | Sue Bradford |
| Passed | 16 May 2007 |
| Related legislation | |
| Crimes Act 1961 | |
| Status: In force | |
The law was introduced to the New Zealand Parliament as a private member's bill by Green Party Member of Parliament Sue Bradford in 2005, after being drawn from the ballot. It attracted intense debate, both in Parliament and from the public. The bill was colloquially referred to by several of its opponents and newspapers as the "anti-smacking bill". The bill was passed on its third reading on 16 May 2007 by 113 votes to eight. The Governor-General of New Zealand granted the Royal Assent on 21 May 2007, and the law came into effect on 21 June 2007.
A citizens-initiated referendum on the issues surrounding the law was held between 30 July and 21 August 2009, asking "Should a smack as part of good parental correction be a criminal offence in New Zealand?" Despite widespread criticism of the question's wording, the referendum was returned with an 87.4 percent "No" vote on a turnout of 56.1 percent.