Paula is abusing Child Abuse Prevention Orders

Written By: - Date published: 1:45 pm, August 14th, 2013 - 54 comments
Categories: uncategorized - Tags:

Wanted Poster Paula Bennett large

Blame my liberal world view or my legal training or the time I have spent acting for poor people who get on the wrong side of the legal system.  But I think the latest Government proposal to place severe restrictions on people acquitted of offences involving children and to up the bar on people keeping their kids is vindictive in the extreme.

It is all part of a carefully choreographed script that this Government has engaged in again and again and again.

First they pick a subject that plucks at the heart strings, like for instance child abuse.

Then they chose an enemy, the mythological innately evil child abuser will do fine.

Then they choose a position that will upset civil libertarians.  They do this because they know with the legal profession they have already lost the support of the progressive lawyers.  Their support has been well and truly decimated by the trashing of the criminal and family legal aid systems that has occurred.  Lawyers tend to hold strong political positions so there is nothing to gain or lose by adopting these positions.

When civil libertarians express dismay they then say “what about the kids?” as if there is a choice between retaining precious civil liberties and doing something about child abuse.

With the really good proposals and as a sign of utter contempt they can release the news twice and get read meat radio feasting on it on multiple occasions.

And on a really good day the opposition will have a wishy washy position on the proposal which gives it credence that it does not deserve.

So how does Paula’s latest proposal measure up?  Unsurprisingly it seems to tick all the boxes.

It is recycled news.  The proposal for orders was originally contained in the White Paper for Vulnerable Children except back then it was called a child abuse prevention order.  Now it is called a child harm prevention order.  The subtlety of the change obviously occupied the thinking time of many high paid PR consultants.

When the White Paper for Vulnerable Children was announced in October 2012 Paula Bennett was reported as saying:

We are introducing a series of changes to deal with those who abuse children.

New Zealanders overwhelmingly want us to get tougher on child abusers to better protect our kids.

Child abuse prevention orders will allow judges to stop child abusers from gaining access to children, meaning high-risk adults are flagged and prevented from working with or living with children.

It does appear that the announcement from last October is essentially the same as the recent announcement although the scope has been widened.

Interestingly in the United States they have a thing called a child abuse restraining order although the order is something that applies to a specific child or children rather than children as a whole.  It seems that the right’s best ideas on beneficiary bashing are imported from the United States.

Who will these orders apply to and what is the test?  Well according to Paula they will already have had to have a conviction for a specified offence.  The select committee will work out which offences qualify but obviously because they already have a conviction they are evil bastards and deserve everything coming to them.  A debate about where to exactly draw the line neatly avoids the debate about whether it is right to draw the line at all.

The test as it is currently proposed is that it is to apply to adults at high risk of abusing children in the future.  But the test is the civil onus of proof, that is on the balance of probabilities.  So if a Judge is only just satisfied that allegation about a person are true then an order can be made.  Good luck with the mental gymnastics involved in working that out because the treshold is high but the onus of proof is low.

The consequence may be that a person acquitted of a charge could be told that they cannot go out in public because of the fear of being with children for an extended period of time.  This would essentially put them under house arrest for an allegation they have been acquitted of.  The order will be in force for up to ten years but if there is an ongoing risk the order can be potentially in force for ever.  Good luck reconciling the Bill of Rights with this proposal.  The basic response in a civilised society should be that you cannot and should not subject someone to house detention for something they have been acquitted of.

The FAQ also talks about upping the onus on parents keeping children in their care.  If they have already had a child taken off them then the onus will be on them to justify the retention of other children they may have.  I am afraid that this already happens and I have seen too many applications where unborn children are ordered to be taken from their parents at birth because of previous difficulties with other children.  The first ground mentioned is the experience with a previous child or previous children.  The proposal tweaks the onus and puts it on the parent to justify keeping their children.  If their personal circumstances are that dire that they have already lost the care of a child they face this risk anyway.

In a succinct yet accurate description of the proposals the Law Society has said that the Government is trying to look tough on child abuse while failing to fund frontline services properly.  It is interesting that the Law Society has become one of this Government’s most trenchant critics.

Overall the numbers involved will be small but the debate will be intense.  No doubt this is what is desired.  National will want to be painted as being tough on low lives and protective of children.

If only they were as committed to doing something about child poverty.  Then they would really achieve something positive for New Zealand kids.

54 comments on “Paula is abusing Child Abuse Prevention Orders ”

  1. just saying 1

    Very well said Mickey.

    And we all know which sections of the community will have members unjustly oppressed by this outrageous legislation, should it go ahead.

    Luckily, (sarc) the elite and the white middle class, including all the child abusers in their ranks, can rest assured that they won’t be affected, which is all that really matters….

  2. RedLogix 2

    It is interesting that the Law Society has become one of this Government’s most trenchant critics.

    Possibly all that time in Courts rubs off ….

  3. lurgee 3

    There is an odd opportunity for Labour to campaign as the pro-civil liberties and anti-authoritarianism party. Usually, it’s the right that get to do that. Will Labour actually do it?

    * Twiddles thumbs *

    • idlegus 3.1

      annette king said on telly last night she broadly supports paula bennett…

      • Rhinocrates 3.1.1

        Well that’s the current ABC Labour front bench for you. No ideas, just a meek “me too”. Still coasting along on their sense of entitlement and wondering why they aren’t a 100% in the polls as they think they naturally deserve and as their increasingly desperate apologists think they will be if you just give them another six months, three months, days, seconds, microseconds…

        Yes, I know, the Nats are fucking awful and anything that doesn’t look like unequivocal condemnation of them is treason, but really, please, please, Labour – look competent and committed! Look like a government ready to step in! Look like a government in waiting with a real leader and a cabinet ready to do their jobs!

      • Rhinocrates 3.1.2

        annette king said on telly last night she broadly supports paula bennett…

        I remember the 80s too well.

        She was and always has been one of the Blessed Brides of Our Holy Lord Roger – what else would you expect of her?

        Never trust her. Vote her out and all the other Rogernome scum.

      • xtasy 3.1.3

        I read into the behaviour of Annette King AND that Jacinda (wannabe Helen Clark duplicate) Ardern, that they do not give a shit, and they generally are mostly in agreement with what National have been doing in welfare. They had planned something similar years back anyway!!!

        The “criticism” on last welfare reforms was just “talk” and never solid at all, it was for the cameras and microphones of the media only to quieten the marginal beneficiary vote they also still like to “gather” for the final “vote” on election day!

        That is the blunt truth about Labour, so no surprises on this, and where was their comment, it took bloody long, did it not? It took damned long on other topics re welfare.

        Arderns is a career polly, she has NO place in Parliament, and is a character not worthy to be a Labour Party member, that is MY view!

        I and a few others wrote to her, sent her info on Dr Bratt and more, but she does not want to talk and write about it, and that is, because she follows a “political career” and tows the main line within Labour at present.

        Dr David Bratt, Principal Health Advisor for MSD and WiNZ was appointed under the last Labour led government, and that was NO coincidence!!!

        If you are on welfare, do NOT vote Labour, they have NOT got your interest at heart, but they love your vote, to get into power to deal out the next round of abuse on you afterwards. Fuck them!!!

        • Jackal 3.1.3.1

          Choosing a post about Paula Bennett’s faulty Child Action Plan to have a rant about how bad Labour was doesn’t seem appropriate. That’s especially the case when you consider the fact that child abuse was declining under the last Labour government. Unfortunately that trend quickly changed when National gained power, with a 39% increase in the amount of child abuse in the first two years of their administration. If you think Labour is in agreement with National’s beneficiary bashing, you’re not very well read at all xtasy.

          • Mary 3.1.3.1.1

            “If you think Labour is in agreement with National’s beneficiary bashing, you’re not very well read at all xtasy.”

            Do you think Labour will reverse the changes National is currently introducing via gradual decimation of the Social Security Act? Labour has not only failed to reverse any of National’s attacks on beneficiaries starting with the benefit cuts in 1991, but spent 1999 to 2008 adding their own. There is no evidence anything will change if Labour became the government.

    • Rhinocrates 3.2

      pro-civil liberties and anti-authoritarianism party

      You expect that from the authoritarian scumbag Goff and the spineless, useless Shearer? Good luck.

  4. tracey 4

    Well said mickey and joe. A tiny ambulance at tge bottom of a massive cliff

    • Murray Olsen 4.1

      It’s not even an ambulance, tracey. It’s a police car, ready to cart anyone criminally irresponsible enough to fall over the cliff off to one of Serco’s profit centres.

      • Tracey 4.1.1

        agree.

        Even Bennett says we are only talking about a law to affect about 80 people each year… most of whom will have already damage one or more children.

        This is still a law to pander to the idea that imprisoning etc is the best way to prevent crime.

        I would cry except it’s all so expected…

        …and the children will continue to die, to be physically, sexually and emotionally abused.

  5. Draco T Bastard 5

    It seems that the right’s best ideas on beneficiary bashing are imported from the United States.

    Actually, all the political-right’s ideas come from the USA. It’s part of their authoritarian profile which requires them to bow down to power.

    If only they were as committed to doing something about child poverty.

    They are doing something about poverty – they’re increasing it.

  6. ghostwhowalksnz 6

    She has to pull a rabbitt out of the hat quickly, so its a white rabbit instead of the previous black rabbitt.

    The oldest policy trick in the book- new label for old wine

    The second oldest policy trick- announce something you had previously cut-

    But that was earlier in the week !!

  7. Treetop 7

    Proactive or reactive when it comes to the care and safety of children?

    Being an outcast for 10 years does not allow a person to redeem themself and it does not guarantee the safety of a child.

    I would use a comprehensive quality of life inventory on a child which would focus on the day to day care they receive and this would include keeping the child safe from any adult who is deemed to be a risk to the child, (usually it is a person who is not well known).

    Child abuse is endemic in NZ and tough measures are required to protect children, even from birth.

    I do not think that it is typical for a child abuser to consult a lawyer. I also feel that when a person is genuine about not repeating inappropriate behaviour or clearing their self of a false accusation they focus on doing something about it, and the cost both financially and emotionally is high.

    No one likes to see the injustice of false accusation, neither do they want to hear that another child has been killed due to the carer inviting a monster into their home and trusting them with the care of their child.

  8. For people in Auckland there will be a protest at Paula Benefit’s public meeting on ‘Getting Waitakere Going” tomorrow (Thurs) at 5-45 pm.

    Waitemata Unite is organising it and put out this press release:

    Interest is building in a protest against the welfare reforms, at Paula Bennett’s Office, 429 Great North Rd, Henderson, at 5.45 pm, Thursday 15 August called by Unite Waitemata.

    Paula Bennett will be addressing a public meeting at 6pm about “Moving Waitakere Forward.”

    “We think the best way for Waitakere to move forward is to remove Paula Bennett from office” said Janet Robin, President of Unite Waitemata, which is a branch of the Unite Union.

    “Unite is a union for low paid workers and beneficiaries,” said Ms Robin.
    “The real purpose of the benefit reforms is to make everybody compete on the labour market for scarce jobs, which will bring down wages. This helps employers increase their falling profits.” said Ms Robin.
    “That’s why workers and beneficiaries need to unite against benefit cuts and wage cuts.”
    “The Government is more interested in corporate welfare than social welfare “, said Ms Robin.
    “WINZ punitive sanctions for such small things as being five minutes late for an appointment, mean that many people are just giving up trying to get a benefit at all, which is what WINZ wants.” she said.
    “The less people on the benefit; the more the government saves money.”

    “The government is focussing on getting the sick and disabled, and single parents, off benefits, because that is where the biggest welfare budget is”, she said.
    “They plan to save more than a billion dollars by taking benefits off single parents and the sick, who are the people who need them the most” she said.

    “With no jobs out there, it is hypocritical and ridiculous to pretend that WINZ really wants to help people get jobs.”

    “If that is really their intention, why doesn’t the government create jobs?” she asked.

    “Paula Bennett’s supposed caring for children suffering from violence is hypocritical when she is prepared to take half a benefit off a beneficiary family for something as trivial as not attending a doctor’s appointment.”

    “This contravenes the United Nations Rights of the child, for the necessities of life; as obviously a child cannot be supported on half a benefit.”

    “The biggest hypocrisy of all is the fact the Paula Bennett was on the DPB, was helped to get a deposit for her first home, and received a Training Incentive Allowance which helped her to study full time at tertiary level and eventually to get the career she now has. Yet she has destroyed all these possibilities for other beneficiaries now.”

    For more information call

    Dave 0272800080
    Keith 09 8369104

    or email
    unitewaitemata@gmail.com

    http://waitemataunite.blogspot.co.nz/2013/08/lets-get-waitakere-moving-without-paula.html

    • aerobubble 8.1

      Bennett may have hated being a bennnie, having a hand out and a hand up, so much so now she gets to strike the whip…

  9. lenore 9

    It is worse then people think. do people know that the Police can “red stamp” you if they think you are dodgy and it shows up in a police check. You may not even know until you decide to be a coach for your kids rugby and have a police check done, or volunteer at your local school. While this is important if someone has been convicted but got name suppression – eg a family member convicted of abusing a relative”but the cops have taken it way further then that . It is hard to get any information from the cops and the police complaints authority is a joke made up of ex police.

    also remember that the cops are not looking at weighing up the facts – if they believe you are guilty, even if you are found innocent and they have to pay compensation to you, they still can think you are dodgy and red stamp them and there is an up hill battle to clear your name. Add this new bill to the mix and there are going to be even more people potentially hurt by this.

  10. Linz 10

    Am I reading this right? “High Court and District Court judges will be able to impose the new civil orders on people who are tried for serious offences against children even if they are not convicted of the offence, even if they are aquitted.” I looked up “aquitted”, just to make sure: “declared not guilty of a specific offense or crime; legally blameless”. This is taking our legal system back to the 1830’s.

    • lenore 10.1

      actually it is worse – if a person has had a case dismissed – ie pronounced innocent but the cops still dont like it cos it showed them up then they can red stamp someone and then that could be brought up in a police check and take it futher as well. Not the intention of the bill but a consequence. Cops do not like people getting off even if all the evidence points to them being innocent, particularly if they then are shown up for lousy investigation – pay back time for them. It may only be a few people but it is very difficult to fight the police. Has anyone sued them for defamation?

      • xtasy 10.1.1

        lenore – while most think that the Justice Department or Ministry printout of previous convictions or lack thereof is all that is kept, they better wake up. Yes, the police keep separate records, and they NEVER wipe any of them! NO matter, whether any person may qualify under the Criminal Records Clean Slate Act 2004, this does NOT apply to police records. They keep it all, although it is never published, and they will at any time bring the records up, if asked by other government departments.

        “Clean slate” in NZ is NOT true “clean slate”, as it actually is being practiced in many European and other countries. In NZ you are NEVER forgiven under the existing legal system, hence some criminals never improving and conforming, as they know, the system and society will ALWAYS hate them. You are better off dead as a recorded serious offender in NZ, than ever try to rehabilitate.

        That is the truth. But I did not want to distract from the seriousness of child abuse with this, this is just another matter!

        NZ is a total bullshit country, when it comes to forgiveness, and rehabilitation of criminals, and they want you to feel ashamed and low forever, if you ever committed any crime, that this the truth. Fuck that talk about “Christian values” here, it is hypocrisy, this is one of the most dishonest and unforgiving societies in the western world.

        I spoke to and met a fair number affected, not for myself, by the way!

      • Murray Olsen 10.1.2

        I made a complaint once after I was handcuffed to a chair and smacked around with a baton. What a waste of time.

        • xtasy 10.1.2.1

          Murray Olsen –

          Really? You too, how interesting.

          Many, many years ago, in my younger years, having been a bit “disorderly” or “offensive”, then being arrested, the cops tried to force me to confess and say I was guilty. So they physically dealt to me and twisted my arm up my back, resulting in nerve damage to the shoulder and a limp arm for 2 to 3 months.

          The hospital doctor complained to the senior officer, as the damage could have been permanent. Luckily it healed.

          Those are my “fondest” memories of the NZ police force, and that was before a Police Conduct Authority ever existed.

          I count my blessings to never have had any serious cases to answer for.

          Things have improved a bit, but there are some officers I would never trust!

          • lprent 10.1.2.1.1

            Side-issue: Did that forwarded email get to to you today?

            • xtasy 10.1.2.1.1.1

              lprent – YEP, I got it yesterday and replied last night!

              Sounds VERY interesting what was asked, and I provided some support and more, so I trust it may be of use to the person who made the enquiry.

              Things are happening, and that is great!

              Thanks for the assistance Lynn!

  11. fambo 11

    Paula Bennet and Co could never come up with a plan that could
    help children or anyone else in the community because their heart is not in the right place.

  12. xtasy 12

    “Paula Bin-It” (anything coming from her brain deserves to go straight into the waste bin!) was this morning on Nine To Nooooon, answering questions on the new proposed child protection laws:

    http://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/ninetonoon/audio/2565599/the-government%27s-shake-up-of-child-protection-laws

    She went on as expected, for 24 minutes and 38 seconds. She was actually very “defensive”, and she exposed yet again, she does have a “dim” view of the law, which is not just statute law (the government can draw up and pass as it likes, with a majority, in one chamber parliament run New Zealand), but certainly also NATURAL JUSTICE!

    Her explanations about the policy and law proposals was, that for instance only the “Chief Executive” of MSD (or CYFS), and one other C.E. of another department, would be given powers to apply for and get a protection order for having a parent, caregiver or any other person, SUSPECTED of child abuse, to be banned from being near children.

    Any person who knows the Social Security Act 1964 (http://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1964/0136/latest/DLM359107.html), and who has any basic legal understanding, knows full well, that the “Chief Executive” is LEGALLY standing for ANY staff member of WINZ, CYFS or any department of MSD. It is a technical term, and authority is given to all staff, who are employed by MSD, to act on behalf of the CE!

    So while Kathryn Ryan did not dig into “Bin It” to clarify, this is the truth, what is proposed to be given in powers, will apparently not be limited to powers of the C.E. personally, but be given to ALL, or at least a wider number of to be appointed staff members of MSD and departments.

    And the threshold and criteria she went on about, which would be applied, before seeking, getting and enforcing any order against a convicted or SUSPECTED abuser, is still not worked out, she admitted. That is the same cop out comment she made repeatedly, when avoiding answers on how sick, disabled and incapacitated beneficiaries would now be assessed on medical and OTHER grounds for capability to work. We still have NO information on that!

    Paula Bennett was towards the end of that conversation – for the FIRST time ever, challenged by the question, what doctors now will be expected to do or ask to beneficiaries, who are sick, disabled and incapacitated. This is covered in the last 2 or so minutes in this interview on RNZ National. Of course she said, that doctors would only be expected now, to ask sick and disabled beneficiaries “some questions” about what may hinder their ability to return to work.

    Wow, what a mild and misleading answer that was. Sadly Kathryn Ryan did not dig into her, but it seems at least, the mainstream media are slowly waking up, on what MSD and WINZ are now expecting doctors to do, which is a hidden agenda, to get sick and incapacitated pressured, to accept some forms of work, rather than simply continue claiming a benefit. What about Mansel Aylward and his perverted interpretations of the “biopsychosocial model” then? That is what medical professionals have been preached and presented with (also by nasty Dr David Bratt).

    We know all about that by now, so we will watch this space, and while the laws are being changed, to force “suspected” abusers of children to prove their innocence, to force also sick and incapacitated on benefits to prove (even beyond of what a doctor certifies already) that they are not capable to work, the agenda is slowly being uncovered.

    Paula “Bin It”, her staff, her seniors at MSD, who developed these policies, you are going to be exposed bit by bit over time, as you are pushing agendas, that are more than questionable, they are DANGEROUS and mean spirited.

    This is how far the agenda is being driven, even harassing the sick and disabled turning up at the Auckland City Mission Medical Centre:

    http://www.aucklandcitymission.org.nz/uploads/file/Calder%20Centre/Sickness%20Benefit%20explanation.pdf

    This exposes the true agenda of MSD and WINZ on sick and disabled with incapacity:
    http://accforum.org/forums/index.php?/topic/15188-medical-and-work-capability-assessments-based-on-the-bps-model-aimed-at-disentiteling-affected-from-welfare-benefits-and-acc-compo/

    • lenore 12.1

      don’t even get me started on doctors having career conversations with their patients as if it is something anyone has the skill to do. No offence to you doctors who are aware of the world of work but the ones I know live in a comfortable little world and quite frankly do not have great “purposeful conversations” to draw out medical/health information let alone other stuff. It has been bad enough with ACC and their weekend trained medical specialists who decide that ACC people are ok to work and over ride any other evidence.

      • xtasy 12.1.1

        lenore – this must be fought, that is my point, fought with all vigours and force, as they base it on flawed “science” and biased “experts”. Some may be able to work, but many, if not most, will not be, unless putting up with harm, causing more damage to their health and well being.

      • David H 12.1.2

        Well if my doctor wants to waste half, of what little time that I have, to start to lecture me about non existent jobs, then I hope he enjoys only half the bill being paid!

  13. Tanz 13

    something needed to be done. You can’t just blame poverty on child abuse, how about those who do the abuse? NZ’s stats are shameful, is it right for more kids to die. More power to Paula, glad to stand up for National on this one.

    • lprent 13.1

      tanz – some skeptical questions for your consideration…

      • Wasn’t Paula busy touting this exact same policy a year or more ago? How many times do you think she going to launch it?
      • She is announcing it without anything like the required detail. Right now it looks like a legal dogs breakfast – and she is expecting judges to make judgements on something without any criteria for judgement. How many cases to the supreme court do you think that it will take to sort that out?
      • Basically Paula has proven herself to be one of those people with a big mouth and no follow through on anything that doesn’t involve Bill English saving money. There is no money in this one – how well do you think she will be able to follow through with it?
      • And back to “Wasn’t Paula busy touting this exact same policy a year or more ago? How many times do you think she going to launch it?”
      • Heard Paula touting the CEO aspect of it on 9 to noon. I’m unsurprised that she has never heard of contracts with CEO’s that define their responsibilities. What is she talking about spending several years in legislation, when it can be written into contracts by simply doing it at the next review/renewal?

      Personally I’d suggest that you should reserve your enthusiasm for beyond the slogans and until after the first couple of judgements are actually made under this system. My guess is that at the earliest that will be some time in the 2020’s. Looks like such a perfect legal quagmire in so many ways that will make it stall all the way through the legislative and legal systems. Just thinking about how many ways this conflicts with BORA, common law, and the ability to run a civil case against the government makes my head hurt. Personally I suspect that all decent judges won’t have a bar of it.

      • Tanz 13.1.1

        there aren’t any decent judges, just ones who don’t care much about the victims. Good points made, and the children are being put first.

        • mickysavage 13.1.1.1

          Um Tanz if you asked me in the 1980s about Judges I would agree with you mostly. Nowadays they represent perhaps the strongest protection we have to protect our rights.

          I agree that our child abuse statistics are shameful but what is really shameful is that these proposals will not do a thing. Kids will still be abused. If Paula was willing to do something about child abuse she would address the causes, not try and score political points by attacking some within our community.

          • Tanz 13.1.1.1.1

            MS, I think Paula is trying to protect the kids. It has been shown that a lot of the abusers are the new partners/boyfriends of the mothers, that they have no biological links to the children, though some stepdads are great.

            That is just a small window of course. As for judges of today, you must be joking. Many of them seem to be very lenient, and keep making excuses for those with many convictions. The causes of child abuse are many, not just lack of money or resources. My grandparents were very poor, five kids, didn’t own a home, but were fantastic. I don’t think Paula is trying to score political points, she is trying to protect vulnerable children from those that would harm them./have harmed kids before. What is wrong with that.

      • xtasy 13.1.2

        lprent – as I already mentioned in another comment, that line on “only the Chief Executive will…” is total garbage, as that is showing the total ignorance of an under-performing, legally illiterate Minister, who makes comments she has even no clue or justification for!

        In the Act, the “Chief Executive” ALWAYS also stands for ALL staff employed under that executive, but I am not sure whether she was just misleading, being mischievous, or was totally ignorant of that fact. In any case, this “minister” for social development is a total liability, she is in the wrong job, the wrong place, and she herself is up for “abuse”, for what she is doing to people like me and many others! I HATE HER!!!

    • Tracey 13.2

      Sorry, how has she stopped child abuse?

  14. lurgee 14

    Is anyone saying it is right for more kids to die? But this is stupid policy. Dog whistling. Why not try addressing the causes of violence against children (and no-one has said it was ‘just poverty’) rather that foisting foolishness disguised as policy on a nation that already has far too much of it?

  15. Mary 15

    “It is interesting that the Law Society has become one of this Government’s most trenchant critics.”

    The Law Society is traditionally very slow to criticise government policy. When it does speak out it’s almost always when the rule of law or fundamental constitutional principles are being abused or are at risk. The Law Society increasingly voicing its concerns is a clear indication of this government’s contempt for democracy.

    • xtasy 15.1

      Mary – you are so right. The law profession is very hesitant to make any recommendations, or to submit submissions on bills, they will step up only in serious matters. But that tells us something, about this law despising government.

      That last “law expert” they have, just forgot his name, ah, yes Finlayson, he will probably migrate and vanish once this lot is voted out, as he will dread being held accountable for all the perversions of law that occurred under this lot.

  16. gobsmacked 16

    It’s not even subtle enough to be a dog-whistle.

    If you don’t support the government, then you support child abuse …

    http://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/auckland/news/nbpol/960544833-pm-cautions-other-parties—back-my-bill

    It’s a disgusting statement by Key, and it’s not the first time. In the previous term, he said in Parliament “We care about child abuse, you don’t”.

    But he’s a real nice guy, eh?

    • xtasy 16.1

      1ZB is to me a “hate lefties” station, full stop, they are part of Radio Works, I believe, a private corporate, one of the leading media misinformers in NZ Aotearoa, and that Hosking arsehole that does the morning shift, he also has a special deal with Sky City Casino.

      So that is the shit we get, most sadly are fed that crap and learn little else, we must work overtime, to spread the messages about the truth, link, comment, spread 24/7 on all blogs and at all media sites, as that will get us somewhere. At least we must try, or Key and all their lies will continue to be taken for granted. So do not shy away to also comment on APN Herald and whereever!

      Thanks for your good comment gobsmacked, I always value your points!

      • Poem 16.1.1

        Steven Joyce was a director of RadioWorks now known as Mediaworks that own TVNZ and RadiLive. national bailed out Mediaworks at a tune of $43 million dollars and now its in receivership. Y

      • Poem 16.1.2

        Steven Joyce was a director of RadioWorks now known as Mediaworks that owns TVNZ and RadioLive. National bailed out Mediaworks at a tune of $43 million dollars and now its in receivership. Your assessment of absolute national bias within the media is correct xtasy, and that’s why New Zealand is spoon-fed lies and bullshite on a daily basis.

        • karol 16.1.2.1

          Mediaworks owns TV3&4, not TVNZ. And I don’t see 1ZB being part of it.

          • Poem 16.1.2.1.1

            Apologies Karol, your right, m

            • Poem 16.1.2.1.1.1

              Double apologies accidentally submitted reply before completion. You are right Karol, Mediaworks does own TV3 and 4 and as i said previously RadioWorks, and quite frankly TV one is no better in its biased towards national. The point was, national’s grip on the media, and the lies NZ is being fed on a daily basis.

  17. tracey 17

    if you question the conservative nature of the law society consider one of its recent past presidents, judith collins.

  18. aerobubble 18

    Its surely a moral/ethical question, religious people like to impose their ethics on the majority, and National are keenly aware of the Christian vote, so it only follows that they will pander to it. National are not about to clarify their moral position, where innocent until proven can be ignored.

    Where else do we see this sort of religion stomping on liberal democracy. Well in the middle east where the only working democracies have to embrace Islam and so gravitate to the Iran model.
    Where its easier for the elite to pander to piousness than actively run a liberal secular state, usually held up by oil money and oil interests. Turkey’s PM is well on the Iran path.

  19. tricledrown 19

    I have workef on the frontline for many years this is just another very small bandaid policy that you come to expect from National.
    Headline grabbing is all its designed to do.
    What’s really needed is social workers that work in the community that take over the running of the family until they get their parenting budgeting relatioship skills up to scratch alcohol the main problem followed by other drugs and gambling!
    Reseatch from Canterbury University has proven to be the best solution.
    The cost per family $72,000 per family that seems a lot but when you look at the long term costs it a really good investment .
    The cost of doing nothing is much bigger several families I know would benefited hugely from direct intervention.
    But alas under the present system this family which is huge nearly 100 over 4 generations only 2 have full time jobs one of those jobs is mininmum wage 3 in training all because of an alcoholic great grandfather cyfs have been dealing with this family since the 1970’s.
    Cyfs has achieved absolutely nothing.
    Paulo bennitto’s new window dressing will not change a thing!

  20. Lloyd 20

    Children have been forced into poverty by this government.

    Children are badly affected and even die of poverty due to poor nutrition and lack of medical care.

    The present cabinet members are collectively guilty of child abuse.

    Being in cabinet means you have direct effect on children.

    Does this mean that the proposed legislation will require that all the members of the cabinet must be replaced once this child protection legislation is introduced?

Recent Comments

Recent Posts

  • PM announces changes to portfolios
    Paul Goldsmith will take on responsibility for the Media and Communications portfolio, while Louise Upston will pick up the Disability Issues portfolio, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon announced today. “Our Government is relentlessly focused on getting New Zealand back on track. As issues change in prominence, I plan to adjust Ministerial ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • New catch limits for unique fishery areas
    Recreational catch limits will be reduced in areas of Fiordland and the Chatham Islands to help keep those fisheries healthy and sustainable, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. The lower recreational daily catch limits for a range of finfish and shellfish species caught in the Fiordland Marine Area and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Minister welcomes hydrogen milestone
    Energy Minister Simeon Brown has welcomed an important milestone in New Zealand’s hydrogen future, with the opening of the country’s first network of hydrogen refuelling stations in Wiri. “I want to congratulate the team at Hiringa Energy and its partners K one W one (K1W1), Mitsui & Co New Zealand ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Urgent changes to system through first RMA Amendment Bill
    The coalition Government is delivering on its commitment to improve resource management laws and give greater certainty to consent applicants, with a Bill to amend the Resource Management Act (RMA) expected to be introduced to Parliament next month. RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop has today outlined the first RMA Amendment ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Overseas decommissioning models considered
    Overseas models for regulating the oil and gas sector, including their decommissioning regimes, are being carefully scrutinised as a potential template for New Zealand’s own sector, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. The Coalition Government is focused on rebuilding investor confidence in New Zealand’s energy sector as it looks to strengthen ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Release of North Island Severe Weather Event Inquiry
    Emergency Management and Recovery Minister Mark Mitchell has today released the Report of the Government Inquiry into the response to the North Island Severe Weather Events. “The report shows that New Zealand’s emergency management system is not fit-for-purpose and there are some significant gaps we need to address,” Mr Mitchell ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Justice Minister to attend Human Rights Council
    Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith is today travelling to Europe where he’ll update the United Nations Human Rights Council on the Government’s work to restore law and order.  “Attending the Universal Periodic Review in Geneva provides us with an opportunity to present New Zealand’s human rights progress, priorities, and challenges, while ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Patterson reopens world’s largest wool scouring facility
    Associate Agriculture Minister, Mark Patterson, formally reopened the world’s largest wool processing facility today in Awatoto, Napier, following a $50 million rebuild and refurbishment project. “The reopening of this facility will significantly lift the economic opportunities available to New Zealand’s wool sector, which already accounts for 20 per cent of ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Speech to the Southland Otago Regional Engineering Collective Summit, 18 April 2024
    Hon Andrew Bayly, Minister for Small Business and Manufacturing  At the Southland Otago Regional Engineering Collective (SOREC) Summit, 18 April, Dunedin    Ngā mihi nui, Ko Andrew Bayly aho, Ko Whanganui aho    Good Afternoon and thank you for inviting me to open your summit today.    I am delighted ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Government to introduce revised Three Strikes law
    The Government is delivering on its commitment to bring back the Three Strikes legislation, Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee announced today. “Our Government is committed to restoring law and order and enforcing appropriate consequences on criminals. We are making it clear that repeat serious violent or sexual offending is not ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • New diplomatic appointments
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters has today announced four new diplomatic appointments for New Zealand’s overseas missions.   “Our diplomats have a vital role in maintaining and protecting New Zealand’s interests around the world,” Mr Peters says.    “I am pleased to announce the appointment of these senior diplomats from the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Humanitarian support for Ethiopia and Somalia
    New Zealand is contributing NZ$7 million to support communities affected by severe food insecurity and other urgent humanitarian needs in Ethiopia and Somalia, Foreign Minister Rt Hon Winston Peters announced today.   “Over 21 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance across Ethiopia, with a further 6.9 million people ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Arts Minister congratulates Mataaho Collective
    Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage Paul Goldsmith is congratulating Mataaho Collective for winning the Golden Lion for best participant in the main exhibition at the Venice Biennale. "Congratulations to the Mataaho Collective for winning one of the world's most prestigious art prizes at the Venice Biennale.  “It is good ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Supporting better financial outcomes for Kiwis
    The Government is reforming financial services to improve access to home loans and other lending, and strengthen customer protections, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly and Housing Minister Chris Bishop announced today. “Our coalition Government is committed to rebuilding the economy and making life simpler by cutting red tape. We are ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Trade relationship with China remains strong
    “China remains a strong commercial opportunity for Kiwi exporters as Chinese businesses and consumers continue to value our high-quality safe produce,” Trade and Agriculture Minister Todd McClay says.   Mr McClay has returned to New Zealand following visits to Beijing, Harbin and Shanghai where he met ministers, governors and mayors and engaged in trade and agricultural events with the New ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • PM’s South East Asia mission does the business
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has completed a successful trip to Singapore, Thailand and the Philippines, deepening relationships and capitalising on opportunities. Mr Luxon was accompanied by a business delegation and says the choice of countries represents the priority the New Zealand Government places on South East Asia, and our relationships in ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • $41m to support clean energy in South East Asia
    New Zealand is demonstrating its commitment to reducing global greenhouse emissions, and supporting clean energy transition in South East Asia, through a contribution of NZ$41 million (US$25 million) in climate finance to the Asian Development Bank (ADB)-led Energy Transition Mechanism (ETM). Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Climate Change Minister Simon Watts announced ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Minister releases Fast-track stakeholder list
    The Government is today releasing a list of organisations who received letters about the Fast-track applications process, says RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop. “Recently Ministers and agencies have received a series of OIA requests for a list of organisations to whom I wrote with information on applying to have a ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Judicial appointments announced
    Attorney-General Judith Collins today announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister David Jonathan Boldt as a Judge of the High Court, and the Honourable Justice Matthew Palmer as a Judge of the Court of Appeal. Justice Boldt graduated with an LLB from Victoria University of Wellington in 1990, and also holds ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Education Minister heads to major teaching summit in Singapore
    Education Minister Erica Stanford will lead the New Zealand delegation at the 2024 International Summit on the Teaching Profession (ISTP) held in Singapore. The delegation includes representatives from the Post Primary Teachers’ Association (PPTA) Te Wehengarua and the New Zealand Educational Institute (NZEI) Te Riu Roa.  The summit is co-hosted ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Value of stopbank project proven during cyclone
    A stopbank upgrade project in Tairawhiti partly funded by the Government has increased flood resilience for around 7000ha of residential and horticultural land so far, Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says. Mr Jones today attended a dawn service in Gisborne to mark the end of the first stage of the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Anzac commemorations, Türkiye relationship focus of visit
    Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters will represent the Government at Anzac Day commemorations on the Gallipoli Peninsula next week and engage with senior representatives of the Turkish government in Istanbul.    “The Gallipoli campaign is a defining event in our history. It will be a privilege to share the occasion ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Minister to Europe for OECD meeting, Anzac Day
    Science, Innovation and Technology and Defence Minister Judith Collins will next week attend the OECD Science and Technology Ministerial conference in Paris and Anzac Day commemorations in Belgium. “Science, innovation and technology have a major role to play in rebuilding our economy and achieving better health, environmental and social outcomes ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Comprehensive Partnership the goal for NZ and the Philippines
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon held a bilateral meeting today with the President of the Philippines, Ferdinand Marcos Jr.  The Prime Minister was accompanied by MP Paulo Garcia, the first Filipino to be elected to a legislature outside the Philippines. During today’s meeting, Prime Minister Luxon and President Marcos Jr discussed opportunities to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago
  • Government commits $20m to Westport flood protection
    The Government has announced that $20 million in funding will be made available to Westport to fund much needed flood protection around the town. This measure will significantly improve the resilience of the community, says Local Government Minister Simeon Brown. “The Westport community has already been allocated almost $3 million ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago
  • Taupō takes pole position
    The Government is proud to support the first ever Repco Supercars Championship event in Taupō as up to 70,000 motorsport fans attend the Taupō International Motorsport Park this weekend, says Economic Development Minister Melissa Lee. “Anticipation for the ITM Taupō Super400 is huge, with tickets and accommodation selling out weeks ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago
  • Cost of living support for low-income homeowners
    Local Government Minister Simeon Brown has announced an increase to the Rates Rebate Scheme, putting money back into the pockets of low-income homeowners.  “The coalition Government is committed to bringing down the cost of living for New Zealanders. That includes targeted support for those Kiwis who are doing things tough, such ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago
  • Government backing mussel spat project
    The Coalition Government is investing in a project to boost survival rates of New Zealand mussels and grow the industry, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones has announced. “This project seeks to increase the resilience of our mussels and significantly boost the sector’s productivity,” Mr Jones says. “The project - ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Government focused on getting people into work
    Benefit figures released today underscore the importance of the Government’s plan to rebuild the economy and have 50,000 fewer people on Jobseeker Support, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says. “Benefit numbers are still significantly higher than when National was last in government, when there was about 70,000 fewer ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Clean energy key driver to reducing emissions
    The Government’s commitment to doubling New Zealand’s renewable energy capacity is backed by new data showing that clean energy has helped the country reach its lowest annual gross emissions since 1999, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says. New Zealand’s latest Greenhouse Gas Inventory (1990-2022) published today, shows gross emissions fell ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Earthquake-prone buildings review brought forward
    The Government is bringing the earthquake-prone building review forward, with work to start immediately, and extending the deadline for remediations by four years, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says. “Our Government is focused on rebuilding the economy. A key part of our plan is to cut red tape that ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Thailand and NZ to agree to Strategic Partnership
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and his Thai counterpart, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, have today agreed that New Zealand and the Kingdom of Thailand will upgrade the bilateral relationship to a Strategic Partnership by 2026. “New Zealand and Thailand have a lot to offer each other. We have a strong mutual desire to build ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Government consults on extending coastal permits for ports
    RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop and Transport Minister Simeon Brown have today announced the Coalition Government’s intention to extend port coastal permits for a further 20 years, providing port operators with certainty to continue their operations. “The introduction of the Resource Management Act in 1991 required ports to obtain coastal ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Inflation coming down, but more work to do
    Today’s announcement that inflation is down to 4 per cent is encouraging news for Kiwis, but there is more work to be done - underlining the importance of the Government’s plan to get the economy back on track, acting Finance Minister Chris Bishop says. “Inflation is now at 4 per ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • School attendance restored as a priority in health advice
    Refreshed health guidance released today will help parents and schools make informed decisions about whether their child needs to be in school, addressing one of the key issues affecting school attendance, says Associate Education Minister David Seymour. In recent years, consistently across all school terms, short-term illness or medical reasons ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Unnecessary bureaucracy cut in oceans sector
    Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones is streamlining high-level oceans management while maintaining a focus on supporting the sector’s role in the export-led recovery of the economy. “I am working to realise the untapped potential of our fishing and aquaculture sector. To achieve that we need to be smarter with ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Patterson promoting NZ’s wool sector at International Congress
    Associate Agriculture Minister Mark Patterson is speaking at the International Wool Textile Organisation Congress in Adelaide, promoting New Zealand wool, and outlining the coalition Government’s support for the revitalisation the sector.    "New Zealand’s wool exports reached $400 million in the year to 30 June 2023, and the coalition Government ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Removing red tape to help early learners thrive
    The Government is making legislative changes to make it easier for new early learning services to be established, and for existing services to operate, Associate Education Minister David Seymour says. The changes involve repealing the network approval provisions that apply when someone wants to establish a new early learning service, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • RMA changes to cut coal mining consent red tape
    Changes to the Resource Management Act will align consenting for coal mining to other forms of mining to reduce barriers that are holding back economic development, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. “The inconsistent treatment of coal mining compared with other extractive activities is burdensome red tape that fails to acknowledge ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • McClay reaffirms strong NZ-China trade relationship
    Trade, Agriculture and Forestry Minister Todd McClay has concluded productive discussions with ministerial counterparts in Beijing today, in support of the New Zealand-China trade and economic relationship. “My meeting with Commerce Minister Wang Wentao reaffirmed the complementary nature of the bilateral trade relationship, with our Free Trade Agreement at its ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

Page generated in The Standard by Wordpress at 2024-04-25T01:08:44+00:00