Comments on: OPINION: New Zealand’s not good enough

By: andrew ewen

andrew ewen — Sat, 24 Aug 2013 21:19:19 +0000

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.

By: Craig Young

Craig Young — Wed, 21 Aug 2013 20:11:08 +0000

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.

By: Geoff Field

Geoff Field — Wed, 21 Aug 2013 15:01:40 +0000

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

By: Sunny Shamrock

Sunny Shamrock — Wed, 21 Aug 2013 14:53:02 +0000

Geoff sounds like a conservative apologist. It was Labour that brought in the law supported by some conservatives

By: Arthur (AmeriNZ)

Arthur (AmeriNZ) — Wed, 21 Aug 2013 09:43:17 +0000

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—or can’t—wait for Australia to legalise it. I think it all depends on individuals’ own circumstances, and neither choice should be criticised.

By: Derek Williams

Derek Williams — Wed, 21 Aug 2013 09:23:49 +0000

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.