Mackey’s Support for Civil Unions Welcomed

Labour MP Janet Mackey’s support for Civil Unions has been welcomed by civilunions.org.nz spokesperson Jeremy Lambert.

“We were pleased to see media reports today indicating Janet’s support for the concept of Civil Unions,” says Jeremy Lambert. “Her support will assist the campaign as debate continues through the select committee phase.”

Mrs Mackey abstained during the Civil Union Bill’s first reading.

More than 1.3 million New Zealand adults[1] support the Civil Unions legislation. Mrs Mackey has indicated that she will be directed by New Zealand’s various communities.

“This is an incredibly complex issue for many Members of Parliament and New Zealand generally. Mrs Mackey has obviously been reflecting considerably on the various issues and decided to support what is right and fair,” says Mr Lambert.

Today thousands of New Zealand couples enjoy loving committed relationships that are not protected by law. This means that partners are not recognised as family or “next of kin” and can be shut out from important decisions, including medical and funeral arrangements.

The Civil Union Bill will help solve this problem by giving legal status to all one-on-one relationships. It will provide choice to different sex couples who would like legal recognition of their relationships whilst providing an option to same-sex couples.

“Recognising, protecting and celebrating loving committed relationships is at the heart of this legislation. Our campaign comprises everyday New Zealanders, both gay but many more straight, wanting law that is fair and just – essentially a message of love and acceptance,” says Mr Lambert.

For more information about the campaign to support the Civil Union Bill, people can visit http://www.civilunions.org.nz/

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