KEY POINTS:
Green MP Sue Bradford's anti-smacking bill is poised to become law, but not before a lengthy debate on its merits.
With the Maori Party confirming yesterday that its MPs squarely supported Ms Bradford's bill, it seems certain to secure more than the 61 votes it needs to become law.
Opponents of the bill are prepared to stage a last-ditch effort in the debating chamber tonight to try to get any wavering MPs to change their minds. Given the intense public discussion of the issue so far, the debate is expected to be lengthy and emotional, and could see the passing of the bill delayed for some weeks.
"We're not having our celebration yet. We have two more critical votes to get through before we celebrate ... but it has certainly been a big step forward today," Ms Bradford said.
The Maori Party's announcement means the bill is poised to clear its biggest hurdle - an amendment from National Wanganui MP Chester Borrows which aims to define a parent's right to use a "trifling and transitory" smack with a hand to discipline their child.
Mr Borrows yesterday conceded his amendment was unlikely to succeed. "I'm behind the eight ball, but it's certainly not all over," a disappointed Mr Borrows said.
" I'll give it a good shot and we will just have to hold to account those people who are voting that way, and make the point that they made a decision to criminalise parents' behaviour, and they will have to carry the can for that."
Mr Borrows had been invited to speak to yesterday's Maori Party caucus meeting, and yesterday morning the party extended a similar invitation to Ms Bradford. Mrs Turia was unwell and absent from the meeting.
After hearing from both MPs, the party emerged to offer an unequivocal and unanimous statement in support of Ms Bradford's bill.
"A hit is a hit," Maori Party co-leader Pita Sharples said.
"We must send out strong and brave messages to the nation that any form of violence is violence. In the end a hit is a hit, and under current adult law this is assault. Common sense says the same standards should apply [to children]."
Dr Sharples said the Maori Party had consulted with its constituents and many opposed banning smacking. Backing Ms Bradford's bill might be an unpopular move, but the Maori Party had to be prepared to make a stand against the view that hitting children was allowable.
Ms Bradford said she was over the moon to have secured the support of the Maori Party, but National's position that all its MPs should vote for Mr Borrows' amendment meant that her bill was still vulnerable at that point. Ms Bradford will withdraw her bill if Mr Borrows' amendment is passed.
"With the Maori Party support, at this stage I believe we have 63 votes to 58, which does give us enough."
Although National has ordered its MPs to back Mr Borrows' amendment - despite some MPs being reluctant supporters - Mr Borrows yesterday challenged Labour to allow a conscience vote on the issue for its 49 MPs.
Prime Minister Helen Clark said Labour's support for Ms Bradford's bill, and opposition to Mr Borrows' amendment, was a party position.
Helen Clark said she was very pleased the Maori Party had decided to back Ms Bradford's bill.
"I frankly feel embarrassed as prime minister when I look at the international rankings for New Zealand way down the bottom in terms of the safety of our children and I look at the violence which is happening against children in our homes and I think we have to do something and this change would be a step in the right direction."
Last week United Future MP Gordon Copeland released a legal opinion from Peter McKenzie, QC, which suggested parents could be prosecuted for picking up their child and putting them in time out, as it would be seen as correction.
Yesterday, Ms Bradford returned fire with an opinion from Law Commission president Sir Geoffrey Palmer that any such prosecution would be extremely unlikely.
HOW THE NUMBERS STACK UP
The Borrows Amendment
For: 58
National 48, New Zealand First 5, ACT 2, United Future 2, Independent 1.
Against: 63
Labour 49, Greens 6, Maori Party 4, New Zealand First 2, Progressives 1, United Future 1.
The Bradford Bill
For: Between 65 and 68
Labour 49, Greens 6, Maori Party 4, New Zealand First 2, Progressive 1, United Future 1. Between 2 and 5 National MPs could also vote for the bill.
Against: Between 52 and 55.
National between 43 and 46. New Zealand First 4. Act 2. United Future 2. Independent 1.
Undecided. New Zealand First 1.
