Abstract
Corporal punishment is lawful in the home in all Australian states and territories. In early 2021, the Tasmanian Commissioner for Children and Young People called for a repeal of s 50 of the Criminal Code Act 1924 (Tas) which permits the use of corporal punishment in the home, noting that society had moved on from the regular canings of the early 20th century when the law was passed. This article supports the call to abolish the defence of reasonable chastisement (lawful correction in NSW) by repealing s 61AA of the Crimes Act 1900 (NSW) so that children can have the same protections from physical violence as adults.
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