Michael Woodhouse MP: Section 59: law is working

Thursday, December 10, 2009

Section 59: law is working

National does not want to see good parents criminalised for a light smack.

Prime Minister John Key asked Police Commissioner Howard Broad, Social Development Ministry chief executive Peter Hughes, and Nigel Latta, a well-known clinical psychologist, to examine the policies and procedures being used around the issue of smacking.

They found parents are not being criminalised for a light smack, and that section 59 of the Crimes Act is working as it was intended.

The National-led Government has accepted all of their recommendations.

We will establish a parent support phone line, ensure the immediate publication of guidelines for social workers, and require police and social workers to provide families with specific information on their rights and on what to expect.

We want to reassure parents that they will not be criminalised for a light smack, and we will continue to monitor the way the law is being implemented.

More information:
http://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/prime+minister+welcomes+s59+review+report

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Background:

I was most recently the Chief Executive Officer of Mercy Hospital Dunedin, a position I held for 7 ½ years. Previous to that I held senior management positions with ACC, where I was instrumental in implementing ACC’s Elective Services Contracting framework and at Dunedin Hospital in change management, revenue and planning roles.

I was educated at St Pauls High School (now Kavanagh College) and graduated from the University of Otago with a Bachelor of Commerce degree. I am a Chartered Accountant and also have a Master of Health Administration from the University of New South Wales.

I was also the President of the NZ Private Surgical Hospitals Association and have also been the Vice President of the NZ Private Hospitals Association, a larger organisation which included the private aged care sector. I am also a Fellow of the New Zealand Institute of Management and the New Zealand Institute of Directors.

I have been a Rotarian since 2001 and am active in community and voluntary work in the region. I am an avid rugby fan, having played age group representative rugby for Otago and South Island teams and am a premier grade referee as well as a “fair weather” runner. My wife Amanda and I and our three daughters have a crib in Cromwell and in our spare time enjoy the great outdoors of Central Otago.

Responsibilities:

I am a member of the Health Select Committee, and of the Transport and Industrial Relations Select Committee.

I am also a member of the National Party’s Economic and Commerce Caucus Committee.

My Commitment as Your MP:

I firmly believe in the values that underpin the National Party – loyalty, security, equity of opportunity, freedom and choice, limited Government, strong families, caring communities and a sustainable environment.

I commit to maintaining those values and working on your behalf to ensure that these important principles are upheld. Although not an electorate MP, I believe all MPs have a responsibility to represent and advocate for the people in their communities.