Small Step Toward Tolerance

Princes Street Labour Branch

“A small step in the right direction toward a more tolerant society” was how Conor Roberts, chair of Auckland Universities Princes Street Labour Branch, described the 66-50 vote in favour of the introduction of the Civil Union Bill.

“Whilst some of the speeches today smacked of outright homophobia and blatant misunderstanding, many others in support of the bill spoke with passion and honesty about the positive effects of the legislation.”

“At its heart this legislation gives homosexual couples the ability to have their relationships formalised, its fantastic that a majority of MPs had the heart to recognise that this is only fair” Mr Roberts said.

Branch members were glad to see that a large majority of Labour MPs were guided by the parties principles by voting for a bill that promotes the same basic human rights, protected by the State, applying to all people, regardless or race, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, age, religious faith or political belief.

“That’s straight out of the parties constitution and relates to equality in this country. This bill is all about equality and that’s the New Zealand most Kiwis want.”

“It was also pleasing to see such a wide range of MPs voting for the bill. It shows this bill has wide support.”

“I look forward to the committee process where real New Zealanders can put their case for a less discriminatory society” he concluded.

© Scoop Media

Gordon Campbell: On the Sony cyber attack

Given the layers of meta-irony involved, the saga of the Sony cyber attack seemed at the outset more like a snarky European art film than a popcorn entry at the multiplex.

Yet now with (a) President Barack Obama weighing in on the side of artistic freedom and calling for the US to make a ‘proportionate response’quickly followed by (b) North Korea’s entire Internet service going down, and with both these events being followed by (c) Sony deciding to backtrack and release The Interview film that had made it a target for the dastardly North Koreans in the first place, then ay caramba…the whole world will now be watching how this affair pans out. More>>