He was speaking after a majority report from Parliament's justice and electoral committee rejected a petition seeking to change the law.

Read Right to Life press release

The petitioners wanted parental notification to be a requirement before some one under the age of 16 could have an abortion

At present, those aged under 16 are able to have information restricted from anyone if its deemed "The disclosure of that information would be contrary to that individual's interests", according to section 29 (1)(d) of the privacy act 1993.

The report says it was best if a young woman who seeks an abortion had the full support of her parents. But it should not be mandatory to tell them.

But McCroskie believes this decision goes against the wishes of most parents. He criticised the committee for refusing to hear submissions from parent or family groups such as Family First and instead relying only on medical and privacy experts.

NZ First and the Maori party had a minority view, saying parents should be informed unless a health professional decided there was a risk of harm to the child in disclosing it.

The abortion law reform association said it was the right decision not to make it mandatory. President Tony Bellamak said it would have put some young women at harm."

"Mandatory reporting would increase the fear and stress on young people who are already in a vulnerable position."

Read press release from Abortion Law Reform Assocaition

Stratford mother Hillary Kieft organised the petition. Her 15-year-old daughter had an abortion without her parents knowing.

Kieft told the justice and electoral select committee it was not until after her daughter attempted suicide a year later in 2010 that the Kiefts learned their daughter's boarding school arranged for her to have an abortion.

About 60 women under 16 had abortions each year and of those, only about 10 did not tell their parents.

Source

• newstalkzb.co.nz
• stuff.co.nz
• Image: desiringgod.org

Each diocese in Ireland has been directed to have guidelines governing the filming and photography of children while they are on church grounds.

The move derives from standards issued by the National Board for Safeguarding Children in the Catholic Church in Ireland (NBSCCC) in 2008.

"It's to avoid a situation whereby photos get into the wrong hands of potential abusers," said Ger Kenny, spokesman for the NBSCCC.

"The risk issue is people will be taking pictures of kids who are not related to them, and for inappropriate reasons."

Annette O'Donnell, spokeswoman for the Dublin archdiocese, said there is a ban on taking photographs during any religious ceremony in the archdiocese.

These include Confirmations, Baptisms and weddings.

"The guidance issued to all churches is that no photography is allowed during Mass," she said.

"Parents are not allowed take pictures during Mass.

"Our child protection officers tell our parishes not to allow photography without parental consent."

But parental consent is impossible to give while the Mass is ongoing, she explained.

Ms O'Donnell said the guidelines have a twofold objective.

"One is for child protection reasons, the other is that it would be a huge distraction for the religious ceremony taking place."

She said the photo ban is "best practice" for anyone dealing with groups of children, whether they are in "churches, schools or sports clubs".

Church officials in Northern Ireland said the photo ban will not be extended there.

A spokesperson for Clogher Diocese said: "Our safeguards are always under review and at this moment a blanket ban is perhaps at one extreme."

"We discourage photography during the service," the Clogher spokesperson said.

"However, we work with parents and schools and we come to some arrangement which safeguards the children, which is fundamental."

Sources

• Global Pulse
• Irish Independent
• Belfast Telegraph
• Image: Tripadvisor