Gordon Campbell | Parliament TV | Parliament Today | News Video | Crime | Employers | Housing | Immigration | Legal | Local Govt. | Maori | Welfare | Unions | Youth | Search

 


Committee Should Hear All Submissions on Marriage Bill

FAMILY FIRST NZ logo

MEDIA RELEASE

16 November 2012

Committee Should Hear All Submissions on Marriage Bill

Family First NZ says that all organisations, families and individuals who have requested to make oral submissions on the Marriage Amendment Bill should be heard by the Select Committee because of the significance and potential effects of the proposed law change.

"Our understanding is that the Select Committee will refuse to hear as many as 5,000 submitters who wish to be heard - either because they are on the form letters which the supporters of the bill promoted, or because the submitters cover similar points," says Bob McCoskrie, National Director of Family First NZ and coordinator of the Protect Marriage campaign.

"The fact that a record 21,000 submissions have been received on this bill shows just how important this issue is to so many people. It is a major change to a cultural institution and foundation of our society, and it is not acceptable for the Select Committee to pick and choose which submissions it will and won't hear."

"In a healthy democracy, the people are entitled to speak and both sides of this debate deserve to be heard in full. It should not be rushed and democracy should not be denied just because of a pre-determined reporting date which fails to recognise the weight of the issue," says Mr McCoskrie.

Family First rejects any attempt to restrict oral submissions from either side of the debate on this significant proposed law change, and has written to the chairperson Ruth Dyson and members of the Government Administration Committee requesting that they hear all submitters who wish to be heard.

"Such a major change should not be rushed or its effect minimised. We must fully debate this significant bill."

ENDS



© Scoop Media

 
 
 
 
 
Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Regional Headlines

Full Scoop Coverage: NZ Budget 2013

Gordon Campbell: On Failures Of Care For Those With Mental Disabilities

Hard to imagine a more disturbing insight into the treatment of the vulnerable than the Health Ministry report on Te Roopu Taurima o Manukau. The Ministry has found that the country’s only kaupapa Maori intellectual disability residential care provider has been “seriously dysfunctional.”

The ministry says the business has failed to recruit and retain quality staff – and says the kaimahi (caregivers) that have been employed are seriously unsuitable for the job, lacking basic knowledge. But Te Roopu Taurima o Manukau doesn’t get all the blame. The report says there’s a significant gap under disability laws to ensure there’s oversight by qualified clinical professionals. More>>

 

Parliament Today:

Judgment: Court Finds Against Legal Aid Changes

The Court has allowed in part an appeal by the Criminal Bar Association from a judgment of the High Court concerning the lawfulness of the Government’s criminal legal aid policy. More>>

Mighty River: 'Mum And Dad’ Investors Myth Busted

Green Party research, confirmed by Treasury, shows that half of the shares in Mighty River Power that National sold to retail investors went to just 13,000 people and that 10 percent of the retail shares went to just 400 wealthy people and organisations. More>>

Lockwood in London: Answers Needed On High Commissioner’s Residence

New Zealand taxpayers should be told why they are having to fork out $7500 a week to pay for alternative premises for the High Commissioner in London while the official residence remains empty, Labour’s Foreign Affairs spokesperson, Phil Goff, says. More>>

ALSO:

Wellington: Council Kick-Starts Airport Extension

Mayor Celia Wade-Brown said today that a runway extension is crucial to attracting long-haul international flights to the Capital City and will grow the economy of the lower North Island. More>>

ALSO:

Burst Of Psychoactivity: Legal Highs Bill To Be "Even Faster-Tracked"

Associate Health Minister Peter Dunne wants to push the Psychoactive Substances Bill through Parliament faster than planned when it returns from the select committee in mid-June, with the aim of having the legislation in place in July. More>>

ALSO:

Colin Craig: New Twitter Security Welcomed

Conservative Party leader Colin Craig is welcoming the announcement from Twitter today that new security measures are being introduced. This announcement coincidentally follows yesterday’s hijacking of his twitter account. More>>

ALSO:

"Unlawful, Unjustified And Unreasonable": Report Into Urewera Raids Finds Police Acted Unlawfully

IPCA Chair Judge Sir David Carruthers said today that the decision to undertake the operation in Ruatoki Valley and elsewhere on 15 October 2007 was reasonable and justified. “However, the road blocks established by Police at Ruatoki and Taneatua were unlawful, unjustified and unreasonable... ” The detention of the occupants at five properties examined by the Authority was unlawful and unreasonable. More>>

ALSO:

Better Insulate Than Never: Reaching For The Rug This Winter? You’re Not Alone

The nationwide Canstar Blue survey - of 2060 people examining consumer satisfaction with electricity providers - found that more than one third (36%) of respondents can’t afford to heat their home adequately in the winter, with Gen Ys and women finding it the toughest. More>>

ALSO:

One More Stays Open: Interim Decisions For Five Aranui Schools

“The proposal for a new campus originally included all five schools in the Aranui area. In reviewing the submissions and undertaking further analysis – with a focus on ensuring an exciting brand new education concept for Aranui children – we can achieve this and maintain a strong intermediate option in Chisnallwood. More>>

ALSO:

Get More From Scoop

 

LATEST HEADLINES

 
 
 
 
Politics
Search Scoop  
 
 
Powered by Vodafone
NZ independent news