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Civil Union Bill passes into law
Thu 9 Dec 2004 In: New Zealand Daily News
The Civil Union Bill has passed its final reading 65 votes to 55. It will now become law. Supporters are elated, among them "gay granddads" Des Smith and John Jolliff, who have become iconic in the gay and lesbian community's fight for equality in the area of relationship recognition. "We're absolutely elated," Mr Jolliff told GayNZ.com. "It's a good day for New Zealand. Peter Fraser at the end of WWII said the new world order had to be based on social justice, which to me proves that social justice is alive and well in our country. Makes me proud to be a Kiwi." The final debate was marked with pointed reminders of the opposition's hypocrisy. Chris Carter pointed out that he had never seen any MP go on a 21-day fast to stop child abuse or poverty, and Marian Hobbs drew attention to the appalling youth suicide figures amongs gays and lesbians, saying that those who step up to "fight for life" should vote for civil unions, a nod to Catholic National MP Bill English. Moana Mackey said those who suggest civil unions undermine marriage because civil unions are to be registered with the Births, Deaths and Marriages office were not protesting the fact that deaths were undermining marriage because they were registered there too. Tim Barnett took a swipe at select committee colleagues Richard Worth and Stephen Franks, whom he said he'd hoped would understand the reasons why the Bill was important, but have proven with their opposition to it that they obviously do not.
Credit: GayNZ.com News Staff
First published: Thursday, 9th December 2004 - 12:00pm
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