Wellington, Nov 12 NZPA - The Government is working to build "fragile" confidence in anti-smacking laws, Prime Minister John Key says.

Wellington, Nov 11 NZPA - A review of anti-smacking legislation which found no evidence parents were being subjected to "unnecessary state intervention" for lightly smacking their children confirms the law change was a positive step, the Families Commission says.

Wellington, Oct 19 NZPA - The partial defence of provocation should be abolished, a parliamentary committee recommended today.

Wellington, Sept 29 NZPA - The Government's proposed changes to electoral law have been met with opposition from Labour and the Green Party. Justice Minister Simon Power yesterday released proposals aimed at getting consensus on electoral law.

Wellington, Sept 29 NZPA - The Government is happy to consult on electoral reform only in areas where it suits the National Party, Labour's electoral reform spokesman David Parker says.

Wellington, Sept 28 NZPA - The Government is considering a 25 percent increase to the limit on election campaign spending as part of electoral finance law reforms. Justice Minister Simon Power today released proposals aimed at getting consensus on electoral law.

Wellington, Sept 25 NZPA - Trade unions and political party leaders praised Sue Bradford and mourned her imminent departure after the Green Party MP announced today she was resigning from Parliament.

Wellington, Sept 25 NZPA - Green MP Sue Bradford is resigning from Parliament. Ms Bradford recently lost a contest for the party's co-leadership and said it was time for a change.

Wellington, Sept 15 NZPA - Another proposed referendum has been received by Parliament from one of the backers of the smacking referendum.

Wellington, Sept 15 NZPA - Agriculture Minister David Carter has given Fonterra a green light to charge its smaller rivals a 10c premium on each kilogram of milksolids from next season.