United Future
Since: Aug 2007
Posts: 314

Barker “Head in the sand” on DNA paternity testing

Posted in Discussion Forum at 07:18PM, 18 Mar 2008 ∞ Permalink

UnitedFuture family spokesperson Judy Turner today quizzed Minister for Courts Rick Barker about why he has ignored recommendations from both the Law Commission and Law Society to empower the Family Court to order paternity testing.

“It is an outrage that many New Zealand kids are being prevented from knowing and having a relationship with their father because of an out-of-date statute that the Minister has been too lazy to update.

“But it’s contemptuous and insulting that Minister Barker is trying to justify his lack of action by arguing that he is protecting children’s, ‘common law rights’ not to undergo a simple DNA test.

“Both the man and the children involved have an absolute right to know whether they are father and child. This takes precedent over the child’s right to be protected from a cheek swab.”

Mrs Turner says that the Family Courts Matters Bill, which is currently before a select committee, is the perfect time to address this anomaly, but that Minister Barker has his head in the sand and is simply unwilling to do so. ... Read the full text of this article.

carol bennett
Since: Oct 2007
Posts: 56

Posted at 07:18PM, 18 Mar 2008 ∞ Permalink

Once again men have no rights and it's quite appropriate, according to Minister Barker,for sister and brother to eventually marry one another without knowing that they were even related.

carol bennett
Since: Oct 2007
Posts: 56

Posted at 08:06PM, 18 Mar 2008 ∞ Permalink

I'm lost for words here apart from saying,when common sense was dished out,Rick Barker was way down on the list.
My local council would have to come second on the list.

Michael Martin
Since: Oct 2007
Posts: 15

Posted at 09:36AM, 20 Mar 2008 ∞ Permalink

I just read in the NZ Herald that Judy's Private Member's Bill to allow courts to order paternity tests has been tabled and will be considered. It did not have to be pulled out of the ballot box.

I am glad to see that this will finally be considered. It is beyond my comprehension why anyone would resist this.

Kirsten Gardner
Since: Feb 2008
Posts: 6

Posted at 12:30PM, 20 Mar 2008 ∞ Permalink

Nice one Judy! It seems to me that this paternity issue has caused a WHOLE lot of grief for many NZers. With getting daylight savings extended and now a practical move like a non-invasive cheek swab, United Future really earns its 'common-sense' label.

Joe Burton
Since: Aug 2007
Posts: 34
Moderator

Posted at 02:48PM, 20 Mar 2008 ∞ Permalink

Well done Judy. It's great to see United Future standing up for children and parents and this is exactly what this bill amounts to.

Rick Barker's approach to this is what annoys me about the left in this country and in others. They would be unwilling to subject children to a simple cheek swab DNA test but would be happy if that meant that children couldn't know their fathers and vice versa and that fathers could ignore their responsibilities to their children!

Another example of political correctness gone haywire - this kind of thing really doesn't do Labour any favours.

Anyone know where National are on this issue?

Judy Turner
Since: Aug 2007
Posts: 22

Posted at 05:37PM, 20 Mar 2008 ∞ Permalink

Talkback radio has run hot today on this issue demonstrating that there is huge public appetitie for this Bill to be given serious consideration. I fail to see how any party could not at least support it through its first reading to select committee so that the public can have their say.

Yes the Law Commission Report covered additional parentage issues that my Bill does not cover. This includes issues like the status of gamete donors and other such matters which have huge medical-ethic-type considerations.

Why should Dads in NZ have to wait for a legal breakthrough that they so desperately need while we weigh up these more complicated matters.

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