08-05-2025
Parents in one Aussie state could be CHARGED for smacking their children
Parents in Queensland could soon face criminal charges for smacking their children as the state moves to potentially outlaw corporal punishment in the home.
The Queensland Law Reform Commission (QLRC) is currently reviewing the state's Criminal Code, which provides a legal defence for parents, carers, and teachers who use physical discipline, so long as it is deemed 'reasonable'.
The proposed changes aim to remove or significantly limit this defence, granting children the same legal protection from assault as adults.
Under the new laws, any form of punishment that causes injury, such as striking with a wooden spoon or belt, would be outlawed.
The use of any force on a child's head, face, or neck would also be explicitly banned.
The review has been welcomed by more than 100 health and welfare experts, including the Daniel Morcombe Foundation and Bravehearts.
Among the strongest advocates is Dr Justin Coulson, a parenting expert, father-of-six, and host of Happy Families, Australia's most downloaded parenting podcast.
'We have over 60 years of evidence showing that smacking is unhelpful,' Dr Coulson told Daily Mail Australia. 'It does not benefit children and is best avoided.'
He explained that smacking operates on a 'dose-response' model, where outcomes worsen as smacking becomes more frequent or severe.
'The more often children are smacked, the worse the outcomes tend to be,' he said.
Sunrise co-host Natalie Barr also weighed in on the smacking debate, expressing her support for the proposed reforms.
'As a mum of two, I hear the old arguments like, "We were hit as kids and turned out fine",' Barr said on Thursday's program.
'But those arguments don't really hold up anymore. We didn't have seatbelts either.'
But social commentator Prue MacSween has criticised the move, describing the proposed law changes as an unnecessary intrusion into family life.
'No one condones extreme discipline that will harm a child,' she told this publication.
'But I came from a generation that got a smack on the backside when I deserved it and it hasn't caused long-term mental angst for me. These experts are confusing this form of parental discipline with corporal punishment or abuse.'
MacSween said parents being unable to properly discipline their children had created a generation of children growing up with no boundaries or respect.
'Parents are being sidelined by these bloody intrusive do-gooders, probably the same people who have influenced our shocking education system that is churning out kids who don't even know the basics,' she said.
Dr Coulson acknowledged the concerns about government overreach but said it had a role to protect children, a vulnerable group in society.
'Some will roll their eyes and say "It's just a tap,' but that 'tap' can become the default parenting tool,' he said.
'When smacking becomes the go-to method, it dulls a parent's ability to respond constructively. It can escalate - some parents begin to smack harder or more frequently.'
The father-of-six said other countries had already passed similar laws.
'Around 67 countries have introduced legislation banning smacking to protect children,' Dr Coulson said.
'These nations have acknowledged the harm it causes - to relationships, academic performance, and mental health - and decided to take action.'
The expert said some parents confused punishment with discipline.
'Usually, you can't solve the problem in the heat of the moment,' he said.
'First, you diffuse the situation. Then, when everyone is calm, you can address the issue constructively.'
