Tue, 22 June 2004

Rainbow Labour unreservedly supports the Civil Union Bill and Relationships (Statutory References) Bill.

"The civil union legislation introduced by the Government is a fair response to the pressing need for legal equality for same-sex and de facto couples", said Rainbow Labour Co-Chair, Michael Wallmannsberger.

The bills will provide equal rights and responsibilities for all couples and will recognise de facto and same-sex relationships that are currently ignored by the law.

The civil unions approach respects the values of New Zealanders who hold the traditional view that marriage is between a man and a woman but ends unjustified discrimination against same-sex and de facto couples.

"These changes are in-step with the trend in other countries, some of which have a far less prestigious track-record on human rights issues than New Zealand", Mr Wallmannsberger concluded.

ENDS

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