Tony Abbott says 'gentle smack' can be good for children

Updated

Prime Minister Tony Abbott says a gentle smack is sometimes the best thing for a child.

The issue has been raised in the first report submitted to Federal Parliament by the newly-established National Children's Commissioner.

Commissioner Megan Mitchell points to the United Nations recommendation that all corporal punishment be banned in Australia.

She says the community needs to engage in a debate about corporal punishment.

"One way to do this is to contemplate a law that prohibits corporal punishment," she told ABC News Online.

"We also need to allow children to have a say in how the consequences of this type of discipline affects them as a child, a young person and later in life."

But Mr Abbott has indicated he is not in favour of a ban.

"We often see political correctness taken to extremes and maybe this is another example," he told Channel Seven.

He said he had chastised his daughters with "pretty gentle smacks".

"I was probably one of those guilty parents who did chastise the children - with pretty gentle smacks, I've got to say," he said.

"I think that we've got to treat our kids well, but I don't think we ought to say that there's no place ever for a smack.

"I think all parents know that occasionally the best thing that we can give a kid is a smack, but it can never be something that hurts them."

Ms Mitchell says it shows the need for a debate.

"The PM has his own views like many other parents and members of the community," she said.

"And I would like all of the community, especially kids, to be part of a debate on corporal punishment of children and alternative methods of discipline."

Smacking a 'trivial' issue, says Premier

Queensland's Liberal National Premier Campbell Newman has also rejected any ban, saying it is a trivial issue.

"We're seeing all sorts of issues around the globe where people are exploited. Surely the UN can do something about focussing on those issues rather than these more trivial ones," he said.

"There are very big, important, human rights issues in the globe and they shouldn't be bothering with this."

Mr Newman said he, too, smacked his children.

"Well, I did, but a very, very gentle smack when they were very, very young - two fingers on the baby's hand - and I tell you what - by the time they were four or five they never ever needed that sort of discipline."

Smacking children is illegal in 34 countries, including New Zealand, Germany and Spain.

Earlier this year, the Royal Australasian College of Physicians called for any physical punishment of children to be outlawed.

It said research shows physical punishment increases the future risk of a child suffering mental health problems, including depression and antisocial or aggressive behaviour.

Fellow of the College's Paediatrics and Child Health Division, Professor Kim Oates, said changing the law may reduce the risk of bigger problems later in life.

"Paediatricians see a lot of child abuse, and we know that quite a lot of child abuse starts off as smacking that gets out of control," Professor Oates said.

"Smacking is potentially quite dangerous. And there are many parents that have grown up fine and who don't even hit their own children, who were hit as children. But why take the risk?"

Topics: abbott-tony, parenting, family-and-children, mental-health, australia

First posted