Catholic World News News Feature

New Zealand family group opposes civil-union bill December 02, 2004

Family Life International, New Zealand has released a statement warning that the Civil Union Bill, which would give legal recognition to same-sex unions, has been rushed toward an early vote in order to take advantage of public ignorance about the practical results of the legislation.

The New Zealand parliament was scheduled to take up the measure on December 2, with a vote expected by December 7. But Family Life urged a delay, saying that the legislation is based on inaccurate claims, raises questions of conflict of interest, and could have an impact that "will be felt for many generations to come,” says Family Life, who have called it “one of the most disgraceful abuses of political position and totalitarian ignorance that this country has witnessed in a long time.”

Right from its inception the bill has been driven by minority politics, say Family Life, pointing out that the parliamentary committee that approved the legislation was chaired by Tim Barnett, an openly homosexual lawmaker who was among the key supporters of the move. Barnett and another member of the same committee, Chris Carter, plan to enter into a same-sex union, Family Life observed; they both stand to gain personally from the bill’s passage.

The active support of two gay lawmakers contrasts with the 6,000 public submissions to the committee, the Family Life statement continued. With 95 percent of the public statements reportedly indicating opposition to the proposal, the quick committee approval was "an unjustifiable mockery of the Select Committee process,” says Family Life.

Family Life claim that the legislation of the bill, which affects the lives of every New Zealander, is far too important to be decided by 61 people and should be the subject of a public referendum.