Baldock: No Marriage Bill vote before election

Member’s time has run out before the election for United Future’s Larry Baldock’s Marriage (Gender Clarification) Amendment Bill, which was scheduled for a first vote today.

“I am sure New Zealanders would have valued the opportunity to give their feedback on this Bill which would have ensured the common law definition of marriage as being between one man and one woman, was retained,” Mr Baldock said

The results of a Digi Poll completed this week confirmed that the majority of New Zealanders supported the Bill’s aims.

“My Bill was necessary to ensure that Parliament and not the courts, defined marriage in New Zealand, as the Ministry of Justice’s advice was that the Quilter case could be revisited in light of overseas trends,” he said..

“It is a shame that Labour and the Greens were unwilling to support the Bill at its first reading so that it could be debated. They said it was unneccessary as the law on marriage was clear and codifying this would be a waste of Parliament’s time. This argument is spurious” Mr Baldock said.

“Labour were happy to devote significant time to passing foreshore and seabed legislation, which, like the Marriage Amendment Bill, codified common law.

“The real reason they were unwilling to debate this Bill was because they are not committed to protecting the institution of marriage,” he said.

“Thankfully in eight weeks, New Zealanders will have the opportunity to cast their vote in support of family-friendly policies.

“I thank my United Future colleagues, National, New Zealand First, the Maori Party and members of Act for indicating their intention to support my Bill. I especially thank Labour’s Taito Phillip Field who sought permission to cross the floor in support of my Bill,” he said.

ENDS

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