29 November 2004

Campaign applauds work of Justice and Electoral Select Committee

Fairness and equality are alive and well in New Zealand, if the broad cross-party support of the Justice and Electoral select committee is anything to go by.

The Campaign for Civil Unions today applauded the work of the Select Committee on the Civil Union Bill, saying it valued fairness and equality despite the many hysterical submissions in opposition. Many of these submissions warned that the Civil Union Bill was a slippery slope which would lead to moral decay, with polygamy, necrophilia and even the physical destruction of New Zealand by God predicted, should the Bill pass.

“The Select Committee was right to dismiss the arguments of this small but extreme minority who have demonstrated such a clear lack of tolerance. They have clearly used the Select Committee process as an opportunity to vent their personal disapproval of homosexuality", Campaign spokesperson Cameron Law says.

The Campaign says the Select Committee's cross-party support for the Civil Union Bill reflects the opinion polls which have consistently shown that New Zealanders are supportive of civil unions. The Campaign is now urging MPs to support the Bill's passage.

"The passing of the Bill is not only in line with New Zealand opinion polls but is also consistent with international trends among western democracies. Many of the nations we have traditionally compared ourselves to have now introduced similar laws, including France, Germany, Canada, Belgium, the Netherlands and others." Mr Law said.

"The United Kingdom has also now passed its Civil Partnership Act, which contrary to the arguments of United Future is a direct equivalent of the Civil Union Bill covering both relationship recognition elements and measures to end discrimination. This is achieved in New Zealand by the combination of the Civil Union Bill and the Relationships (Statutory References) Bill. The passing of both Bills is necessary to achieve equality and reduce discrimination."

"The Civil Union Bill is about equality and freedom of choice. It does not force anyone to have a civil union, or to attend one or to like them, or to change their views on homosexuality. It simply gives both heterosexual couples and same-sex couples an opportunity to have their relationship recognised at law, so they can celebrate, so they can make a commitment, so they can have the protection of the law. It has absolutely no effect on anyone outside the relationship."

Please see attachments:

- An international comparison of relationships recognition (below)

- A list of quotes taken from a sample of submissions which demonstrates the types of arguments used by opponents of the Civil Union Bill (previous story).

ENDS

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