Family lawyers want to see a balance struck between protecting good parents and punishing the bad.

Prime Minister John Key has announced that the anti-smacking law will not be changed. Instead, there will be a review of police and welfare procedures.

Paul Maskell from the Law Society Family Law Section hopes police and Child Youth and Family will take action.

"We're wanting to make sure that there's a focus by the government departments on the really sad situations that keep popping up in the news media almost weekly of children being battered, of children, in fact, being killed."

Mr Maskell says at the same time, it is important to protect good parents.

Meanwhile, anti-smacking law opponents are accusing Cabinet of ignoring the results of the Citizens Initiated Referendum into smacking.

Family First director Bob McCoskrie says Mr Key's decision to keep the laws as they are, is not good enough.

"The law clearly says that a smack for the purpose of correction is a criminal offence in New Zealand. Eighty-eight percent said no, it shouldn't be. (Mr Key) is ignoring the referendum."

Mr McCoskrie says people want the real causes of child abuse targeted, but do not think a parent should be treated like a criminal for using a light smack.