He was violent toward me, or He sexually abused the children, can now be a thing of the past.

The new allegation will be his discipline is not appropriate.

At present section 59 of the Crimes Act, authorises mothers and fathers to discipline their children. If section 59 is removed discipline will be a dispute or an issue to be determined in individual cases in the family court.

The removal of section 59 will not only start a new wave of court activity, but many of you who thought your family court days were over may find your case revisited on discipline issues, historic allegations of violence against your children.

The removal of section 59 will also open the door in the Care of Children Bill for greater representation of children by lawyers. If you thought it was just their mother you had to watch out for watch this space.

If only people would stop talking about smacking and start understanding the significance and the implications of section 59 of the Crimes Act, and how it relates to our children — your children, and the future of fathers in New Zealand.