Gay Marriage Harming Labour Vote

Family First is not surprised by a report today that the same-sex marriage bill introduced by Labour MP Louisa Wall is harming their traditional Pasifika support base.

“Labour MP Su’a William Sio has acknowledged that one of the big reasons for the shift against Labour in the Pasifika community is the gay marriage bill put forward by his colleague, Louisa Wall. He says that it is a bill that continues to upset many in the conservative community.”

“At the time of the debate Mr Sio warned his colleagues that it would damage their support base and he was right. He unsuccessfully tried to persuade Wall to withdraw the bill,” says Bob McCoskrie, National Director of Family First NZ.

“As Greens co-leader Metiria Turei argued during the Civil Unions debate, for millions and millions of people worldwide, marriage is a specific culturally and historically bound institution. This is especially so in the Pasifika community, and many other communities.”

“The real outcomes of this law change are yet to come to fruition – namely, attempts to further implement ‘marriage equality’ to allow polygamy and group marriage, and the right to freedom of conscience for celebrants, venues, and service providers being threatened as is happening at an increasing rate in overseas jurisdictions.”

“20,000 voters signed the Marriage Pledge in 2013 which will influence the way they vote in the general election. This could affect the outcome of some of the marginal seats, and if the election is a close call,” says Mr McCoskrie.

“The other significant question is how much are the Conservatives and NZ First benefitting from National flip-flopping on gay marriage also? It appears to be a significant amount.”

ENDS

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