Field Taito Phillip: Crimes (Substituted Section 59) Amendment Bill — In Committee 
Field Taito Phillip: Crimes (Substituted Section 59) Amendment Bill — In Committee 
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TAITO PHILLIP FIELD (Independent—Mangere) 
: 
 I have a few amendments here on the commencement date so I would like to contribute a little bit. Sue Bradford has been a colleague for some years. I know she has her heart in the right place in what she is trying to do but I think that on this occasion she is misguided. I believe that a commencement date for this sort of bill of a day after its Royal assent is far too soon. That is why I believe we should try to delay its passage through this House. We should also look at allowing time for a petition that is going around the country that gives people the opportunity to oppose the timing of the bill and to oppose the bringing in of the provisions. 
A lot of arguments have already been stated up and down this country as to why there is strong opposition out there. The opposition is to what we believe is the State’s inference in the rights of parents to raise their children and to determine the discipline that should be exercised to bring those children up in terms of knowing what is right and wrong. I believe that exercising a smack or a mild form of discipline in no way harms the child. 
This is lawmaking gone mad. It is insanity in the sense that we have completely blown the whole thing out of proportion. As previous colleagues have said this bill will make criminals out of parents who are really trying to do a good job of raising their children and as we said before not only teaching children what is right and wrong but actually keeping them safe when on many occasions they endanger themselves and perhaps other children in the process. 
I believe that this provision here is completely out of kilter with the opinion of the New Zealand public. We have to allow time for the debate to be considered and for people to exercise their right to express their opposition to this bill being brought in at this time and to what is being proposed in terms of the commencement date. 
I believe that this bill will have a hugely negative impact on the Pacific and Maori communities and on many other sections of our society and on a lot of parents with their own Christian perspectives of their God-given rights as parents to raise their children in the proper way and to provide that discipline. I believe that there are many politicians who will regret supporting this bill because I think it will backfire. I do not think our law enforcement agencies will be able to cope with the sort of frivolous allegations that will be made publicly in relation to anybody who is seen giving a child a smack. 
Another thing that I have heard about recently and that really concerns me is the relationship between the parent and the child if that child—an older child—reports something and it results in the prosecution of a parent. What will happen to the relationship between that parent and child as well as to the relationship with the other siblings in the family? What happens to that relationship as a result of a parent being prosecuted? How does that help relationships within a family? That is an issue that needs to be considered by those who are supporting this bill. 
I come back to the commencement date. It is too soon particularly with the strong opposition to this bill by the New Zealand public for it to be rammed through this House and commenced on the day after its Royal assent. So I have a few amendments as I believe any person in this Parliament who opposes the legislation should also try to delay and slow down the passage of this bill—certainly with the petition that is going around the country—to allow time for New Zealanders to express their strong opposition by way of that petition. That is what my amendments are designed to do. 
I am in opposition to what is being proposed here not only in relation to the commencement date but also to other provisions of the bill. Thank you Madam Chair.