Western Bay of Plenty politician Larry Baldock wants Prime Minister John Key to restore the rights of parents when he meets with Cabinet to discuss options around the so called anti smacking law.
John Key is taking proposals to Cabinet on Monday, August 24, designed to reassure the 88 per cent of citizens who voted ‘no' to the anti smacking referendum question 'Should a smack as part of good parental correction be a criminal offence in New Zealand?”


Larry Baldock, Western Bay politician and leader of the Kiwi Party, wants John Key to come away from today's Cabinet meeting with a suitable solution to the anti smacking law.

Larry, the person who organised petitions that forced the anti smacking referendum, says John Key has to come away from Cabinet today with a solution that comforts the vast majority who voted ‘no'.
'Parents must be free from breaking the law. We shouldn't be stopping parents from raising their kids the way they have for generations,” says Larry.
John Key told TVNZ's Q + A programme that he did not want good parents treated badly and wanted them to feel they would not be unfairly prosecuted by police or Child, Youth and Family.
Larry says any move by the Prime Minister to introduce amendments which outlines how police and CYFS enforce the law is 'crazy”.
'They passed a law that they don't want the police to enforce. The law is supposed to be enforced,” says Larry.
He says the results of the referendum should be the end of the matter and the government should act quickly.
Larry has sent his proposal to John Key offering a way to amend the law, which involves the removal of sub clauses two and three from section 59 of the Crimes Act.
'That's what makes a parent who smacks their child a criminal,” says Larry.
He is disappointed John Key has not made contact with him but is in regular contact with supporters of the anti smacking law.
'He hasn't event bothered to give me a call. I would have thought I was the spokesperson for 88 per cent of the population at the moment,” says Larry.