OPINION: New Zealand鈥檚 not good enough
Image: Geoff Field
First and foremost, congratulations to the conservative government of New Zealand for passing legislation to recognise gay marriage.聽I was so happy earlier this year when I heard the courageous MPs across the Tasman had made such a progressive and positive decision.聽In the past week the legislation came into law and many people have asked me whether my partner of 21 years, Jason, and I would travel to New Zealand to officially tie the knot. The answer to that is 鈥榥o鈥�.
I have been campaigning for many years to have marriage equality laws changed here. I have waited this long for change and we will continue to do so.聽After countless rallies, Mardi Gras and even my own 鈥榠llegal鈥� marriage, which was broadcast on 2Day FM and the Sunrise program, politicians in this country are still dragging the chain and refusing to reflect public opinion.聽Last year鈥檚 vote against gay marriage in our federal parliament was a disgrace, as are Tony Abbott鈥檚 continuing comments opposing gay marriage.
However, I am an eternal optimist and despite the fact that Mr. Abbott looks set to become our next Prime Minister I believe change is inevitable. It鈥檚 just a matter of when it will happen.
Surely Tony Abbott will realise the world won鈥檛 stop functioning when gay people, including his own sister, are given equality?
On the Labor side we need to hope that many MPs who previously voted against the legislation will re-consider their positions. After all, this is a question of civil rights.聽In the meantime, good luck to those who have gone to New Zealand to get married, but remember you won鈥檛 be recognised as a married couple under Australian law.聽Hopefully the decision in New Zealand and other progressive countries will put more pressure on our MPs who are looking increasingly isolated.
I look forward to the day when I can get married to Jason, here in my home country. I don鈥檛 think that鈥檚 too much to ask.
-Geoff Field
As a kiwi who is a longtime labour/green voter I certainly agree that this bill was not the an initiative from the National Party. As correctly pointed out, it was a private member’s bill from Labour MP Louisa Wall. If Ms Wall’s bill had not been drawn from the ballot we would still be waiting, waiting, waiting for equality as the National party showed no signs of doing anything. However, in fairness, the bill would not have passed without support from both sides of the house. In fact, as I watched the televised debates of each of the three readings what really stood out for me was that some of the most memorable speeches in favour of the bill came from older straight white male National MPs . To me, this was not only a victory for the queer community in New Zealand, it was a rare victory for common sense and fairness in our parliament as members voted for what they believed was right rather than just shooting something down because the bill had been drafted by an opposition MP.
Except if the Australian lesbians and gays who want to have their marriages recognised stay here. We’d be glad to have an influx of you folks if that’s what you do decide.
Sunny, Im far from a conservative apologist!
Just noting the irony that the laws were introduced under a Conservative government, and yes I understand the bills were tabled by Louise.
Let’s just hope we get the same outcome here, regardless of who is in power
Cheers
Geoff
Geoff sounds like a conservative apologist. It was Labour that brought in the law supported by some conservatives
Just a small correction: The conservative government didn’t pass marriage equality in New Zealand, they just didn’t stand in its way. Instead, it was a Member’s Bill, written by openly lesbian Louisa Wall, an MP for the opposition Labour Party. Also joining was openly gay Green Party MP Kevin Hague, as well as several heterosexual MPs from several parties.
Unlike Tony Abbott, NZ Prime Minister John Key, leader of the National Party, allowed his caucus to have a conscience vote and, in fact, he himself supported the bill through all readings. Had Key had been like Abbott and opposed the bill and not allowed his caucus a conscience vote, then the bill would have failed.
Be that as it may, I understand the sentiment, especially since Australia doesn’t recognise legal foreign same-gender marriages. However, I also think that it’s a legitimate option for LGBT Aussies who want to get married and don’t want to鈥攐r can’t鈥攚ait for Australia to legalise it. I think it all depends on individuals’ own circumstances, and neither choice should be criticised.
As an expatriate Kiwi, who lived for many years in Australia, now resident in Scotland, I would very much like to echo Geoff Field’s comments. I still remain hopeful that Kevin Rudd and Labor will be returned to office, not only for this reason, but also in the national interest.