15 June 2012

Same-sex marriage now twice as likely

Marriage equality will have double the chance of getting debated by Parliament, with separate Bills from both Labour and the Greens going into the ballot for Members’ Bills.

Louisa Wall and Kevin Hague have both submitted Bills to achieve marriage equality that have been accepted into the members’ ballot, doubling the chance that one of them will be drawn.

“Public opinion polls show that more than twice as many New Zealanders support marriage equality as oppose it. It is now time to move to extend the state’s recognition of marriage to any couple who love each other,” said Labour Party MP Louisa Wall.

“Marriage equality is a right whose time has come. Marriages should be based on love not gender, said Green Party MP Kevin Hague.

“Society is changing and the law should reflect the new social mood. People are more relaxed about same-sex relationships and want to accord full legal equality to same-sex couples,” said Louisa Wall.

“Whichever Bill is actually drawn from the ballot, we will be working together to support it and to gather other support from across the House,” said Kevin Hague.

“Marriage is a social institution and as contained in our civil law it is a basic human right,” said Louisa Wall.

“We are looking forward to the debate and are optimistic that full legal equality can be achieved in New Zealand,” said Kevin Hague.

For more information:
Louisa Wall’s bill http://www.greens.org.nz/sites/default/files/marriage_definition_of_marriage_amendment_bill.pdf
Kevin Hague’s bill- http://www.greens.org.nz/sites/default/files/marriage_equality_amendment_bill.pdf

ENDS

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