New Zealand recognizes civil unions

MPs say I do to civil unions
The controversial Civil Union Bill has been passed through parliament by a vote of 65 to 55.

While fewer than half of MPs were in the House for the debate, supporters and opponents of the bill filled the public gallery.

Passionate speeches had marked the progress of the Civil Union Bill through the House after the Greens provided the government with the numbers needed to put parliament into urgency.

The bill, which gives legal recognition to defacto and same sex relationships, attracted more than 6,000 public submissions, most of them strongly opposed.

MPs supporting the legislation say it creates a new institution that does not devalue marriage. They say civil unions will be open to both heterosexual and same sex couples. Opponents say it is a gay marriage bill.

Passions ran high on both sides of the debate, and supporters and opponents crowded the public gallery.

On Wednesday, MPs rejected the idea of a referendum. Parliament rose just after 10pm after a full day of debate. More than 70 changes to the bill were rejected on conscience votes, including a proposal to put the issue to a public referendum. That was defeated by 68 votes to 51.

Wednesday's debate over the bill turned into an argument over gay rights, reminiscent of homosexual law reform 18 years ago. MPs accused each other of homophobia, while opponents claimed the government was trying to introduce gay marriage by stealth.

A recent Close Up at 7 poll found New Zealanders strongly opposed to legally recognising gay relationships. The poll asked the question: Should gay relationships be legally recognised? Of the 17,463 people who responded, 4,316 said yes and an overwhelming 13,147 said no.

The minister in charge of the bill, David Benson-Pope, said calls for a referendum were a last gasp for people who felt they had lost the argument. He said a referendum was not appropriate because the bill is a human rights issue.

National leader Don Brash, who changed his mind after supporting the bill on its first reading, believes many New Zealanders view it as an attack on the institution of marriage. Brash said the country is deeply divided over the issue and he would not support what he called the government's rushed attempt to ram the bill through parliament.

And the bill prompted an outcry from the Destiny Church which led a protest march on parliament.

The United Future Party also opposed the legislation and Maori Party co-leader Tariana Turia favoured a referendum.

New Zealand's only Muslim MP, who refused to vote the first time, supported the bill at the second hearing. Ashraf Choudhary said the law has to treat everyone equally and fairly.

The bill passed its first vote by 66 votes to 50, with three abstentions and the second vote passed by 65-55.

Justice and Electoral Committee chair Tim Barnett said the bill gives certainty to couples who currently have no access to legal status. He said that could mean lesbian and gay couples or simply another option for de facto couples.

The new law will allow those couples to register their relationship as a civil union at the births, deaths and marriages office. It gives them the same legal rights and responsibilities as married couples, but marriage will still only be available to a man and a woman.

A change recommended by the select committee will also see overseas unions recognised in New Zealand.

Couples will be saying "I do" to a civil union by April 26, 2005.