Smacking Law Sure to Pass Despite 'Compromise'

Yes, according to the Herald, John Key and Helen Clark met this morning and reached a compromise of sorts on the smacking bill with an amendment that reads -

To avoid doubt it is affirmed that police have the discretion not to prosecute complaints against a parent of a child, or person in the place of a parent of a child, in relation to an offence involving the use of force against a child where the offence is considered to be so inconsequential that there is no public interest in proceeding with a prosecution.

Now, to me, that isn't much of a compromise. Smacking your child will still be against the law but police will have the powers to decide whether to prosecute or not (which they already do). They will probably also have to refer the matter to CYFS, who are a law unto themselves.

So, don't be fooled. This isn't any kind of victory for parents or for families in this country.

Smacking your child will still be illegal.

UPDATE by Lucyna: See Not PC for a more detailed post on the smacking ban