Will you march to support action on the smacking referendum?

Updated: 11:51AM Friday November 20, 2009

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A march to protest the Government's lack of action following the so-called anti-smacking referendum has been announced today.

Colin Craig, an Auckland businessman, said he would fund the march - to take place on November 21 - which will cost up to $254,000.

He said the march is about democracy and the government has so far ignored the majority of referendum respondents who voted against the repeal of Section 59 of the Crimes Act.

Will you march to support action on the smacking referendum? Here is the latest selection of Your Views:

Matthew Roscoe (Meadowbank)
Thursday November 19, 2009 Much is made of the fact that the referendum indicated that 87% of 54% (ie 47%) of the population are opposed to this law.

Some of the anti-smacking faction claim that this proves that 53% support their stance. Some of the smacking faction claim the reverse. They are both wrong. It proves nothing of the sort. All it proves is that 53% gave up their right to have a say. The only half-way reasonable assumption that can be made is that the 53% would have voted pretty much the same way as the 47%.

What is relevant is that 47% of the population certainly do want the law changed. Why is this relevant? Because at the last general election National won 44% of the vote, Labour only got 34%. Any politician who thinks they can ignore 47% of the electorate is extremely foolhardy.

Pedropackman (Coromandel)
Thursday November 19, 2009 Absolutely. At least 25 other countries have this legislation. I am embarrassed to be in the company of so many people who believe in and actually support such acts of violence. No wonder there are so many confused and troubled young people in our ever increasing violent society.

Aqua (Waitoa)
Thursday November 19, 2009 Someone is spending $250,000 to help strip children of their legal right to not be assaulted by their parents? What an idiot.

Rock (Onehunga)
Thursday November 19, 2009 Julia of Wellington, you ask if I have any proof?
I presume you are asking if I have any proof that 84% of New Zealanders beat their children? Well, it's 87% actually.
You claim that the opponents of the anti-smacking law want to "beat" their children. That would be 87% of the people who voted No in the referendum according to your logic.

Lloyd (United Kingdom)
Thursday November 19, 2009 NZHerald, why are you continuing to pump this as the "Anti Smacking Referendum March"? What is your agenda with that?

I for one feel that its being used as a red herring, to deter people from the real issue, which is the govts lack of listening to what the majority of people want, and are telling them they want.

We in NZ are an ill-informed village like people who are happy to sit back and moan. Well now all you whingers have a chance to get off your (probably overweight bum) and make your voice count. Unlike your vote every three years which does not count for a thing anymore - See, the govts not following up on its election promises as the norm these days.

Perhaps instead of writing off the march as a "right wing" action, get along and see for yourself, then make an informed decision for yourself. Or you can just keep reading the NZH, and believe everything it tells you to!

NB - I have nothing to do with the march other than to find out what its really about. And to try give the country a helping hand by letting the govt know they cant just do whatever they want. They need to be reminded that they are our servants, not the other way around!