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Labour Party Pushes Controversial “Bathroom Bill”

Labour Party Pushes Controversial “Bathroom Bill”


Family First says that the Labour party through its ‘Rainbow Sector’ is now attempting to push a highly controversial piece of legislation through Parliament in a way that avoids the public debate and focus that it deserves.

“The controversial proposal, previously floated by Labour MP Louisa Wall, to include ‘gender identity’ as a prohibited ground of discrimination under the Human Rights Act is unnecessary, and has been dubbed the “bathroom bill” in overseas jurisdictions,” says Bob McCoskrie, National Director of Family First NZ.

“Among the implications of these proposals is that sex-specific facilities, including gyms like Contours and swimming pools who have dedicated times for females only, plus the use of men’s and women’s public toilets and changing rooms, could no longer be limited on the basis of a person’s actual biological sex.”

“But the expectation of parents and families is to see people of the same gender in places like public toilets and changing rooms.”

“Of most concern is that Labour is doing it under the shadow of the Statutes Amendment Bill (No 4) which has just had its first reading in Parliament, but is a bill which deals with ‘technical, short, and non-controversial amendments to a range of Acts’. This proposed amendment is anything but non-controversial,” says Mr McCoskrie.

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The previous Labour government distanced itself in 2006 from similar legislation introduced as a private members bill by Labour MP Georgina Beyer, and it was subsequently withdrawn after a legal opinion stated the bill was unnecessary.

“In view of the confusion experienced overseas by such legislation, it is not surprising that the United Nations has repeatedly rejected the terms ‘sexual identity’ and ‘sexual expression’ as a protected right partly because of confusion around its definition. Those with gender dissatisfaction must have the same rights as all New Zealanders, but should not be given special rights which place others at risk.”

Family First has written to the Member in charge of the bill, Hon Chester Borrows, and also the Chairperson and members of the Government Administration Committee requesting that any submissions on the issue be rejected and deemed as out of the jurisdiction of this bill.

“Any highly contentious issue like this should be exposed to full and open public debate as a separate bill, and not snuck through Parliament via the back door.”

ENDS

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