Baldock: ACT ignoble to the bitter end

ACT leader Rodney Hide's claim that United Future MP Larry Baldock's Marriage (Gender Clarification) Amendment Bill had the numbers is unfortunately not true, Mr Baldock said today, adding that he had very real hopes that it would indeed be true after the election.

"So yes, I removed the Bill from the order paper yesterday after considerable ACT shenanigans and duplicity, including reintroducing a Bill they had agreed to pull that would have squeezed mine out of Parliament last night.

"The good news is that no one is going to have to deal with ACT after the election," he said.

Mr Baldock confirmed that ACT had verbally agreed to support the Bill but refused to commit to a standard written agreement.

"And that about says it all. It's like nailing jelly to a wall. Your shake hands with ACT and walk away counting your fingers.

"The lack of integrity of a party that knows the price of everything and the value of nothing will not be a loss to Parliament," Mr Baldock said.

"This is a very important Bill for all New Zealanders who believe that marriage is between a man and a woman, so I don't apologise for taking steps to give it the best possible chance of passing into law, and that would be in the next Parliament."

ACT was basically willing to support a Bill they thought would not have the numbers, but if they thought it would move forward and bring credit to a political opponent, "they're out of there like the proverbial rat", he said.

"They make fine, noble speeches in public, but I think they lost their direction some time ago. It's a party without a soul."

Mr Baldock said ACT had one of the worst records in the House on conscience and moral issues.

"The Prostitution Act and Civil Union Act passed with ACT's support and now they play games with a Bill designed to protect and strengthen marriage."

ENDS

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