KEY POINTS:
Anglican bishops have declared their support for Sue Bradford's bill to change the law on smacking ahead of another debate in Parliament tomorrow.
As MPs prepare for an intense session on the bill, opponents and supporters plan to march on Parliament.
The bishops issued a statement today carrying 15 signatures and saying Ms Bradford's bill was "a further important step down the road towards transforming the disproportionately high rates of violence in our country".
The moment had come, they said, to "make a positive difference and provide an expression of hope".
Destiny Church members will be outside Parliament to hear their leader, Brian Tamaki, denounce the bill.
Other organisations opposed to it will gather as well in a protest organised by former All Black Mark 'Bull' Allen.
"The message this bill sends to parents is that we can't be trusted to raise our own children," he said today.
"I'm as concerned as anybody about the rates of abuse in our country but legislation that undermines and weakens New Zealand families is not the answer."
Across the road from Parliament there will be an ecumenical church service at the Wellington Cathedral of St Paul, and from there Anglican, Presbyterian and Methodist church leaders who support the bill will form a silent procession to the forecourt.
The bill removes from the Crimes Act the statutory defence that allows "reasonable force" to be used to correct children.
Opponents say that means even the lightest smack would be a criminal offence.
Supporters say smacking has been illegal for more than 100 years and the defence is allowing people to get away with savagely beating children.
The bill has divided Parliament and caused bitter debates.
Ms Bradford has a majority of votes to pass it into law, unless some MPs change their minds between now and the third reading debate which is at least two weeks away.
The bill is halfway through its committee stage, and tomorrow is expected to see a vote on an amendment by National MP Chester Borrows which would allow parents to lightly smack their children without risking prosecution.
The amendment is expected to be defeated. Ms Bradford says it would legalise violence against children and has threatened to withdraw the bill if the amendment is passed.
All National's MPs except Katherine Rich oppose the bill, and a bid by party leader John Key last week to find a compromise failed.
Demonstrations are due to start outside Parliament about 12.30pm tomorrow, with the debate on the bill expected to start about 4.30pm.
- NZPA
