MEDIA ALERT
Voice Rodney
Thursday 21 July

Voice Rodney wants MPs to support Marriage Bill.

Politicians will soon be asked to vote on the Marriage (Gender Clarification) Amendment Bill. This Bill proposes to change the law by defining marriage as between one man and one woman. MP's will probably vote on this bill on 27th July

Arna Mountain from Voice Rodney says, "A law change is necessary to establish the understanding that marriage is only between one man and one woman. New Zealand's Marriage Act 1955 does not explicitly state that marriage is between a man and a woman; it assumed it. It also does not prohibit marriage between members of the same sex, because it didn't need to."

"When the Civil Unions Bill was promoted assurances were given that it would not be affecting marriage and that marriage would remain between a man and a woman. We hope the Labour Party will be consistent with these promises and support the bill."

Last year the Labour government passed the Civil Union Act and Relationships Act which gave same sex relationships a legal status similar to marriage. A few overseas countries have legalised same sex marriage and it is possible that New Zealand will follow suit if our law is not clarified.

The Bill is similar to recent laws passed in both Australia and America that have re-stated the common law position that marriage is only between one man and one woman.

"Marriage is a foundation of our society. In every culture throughout the ages marriage has been between a man and a woman and provides the nurture and security needed by children. Statistics prove that a stable marriage between a man and a woman is the most beneficial environment in which to bring up children. Even though we support children in whatever family situation they are, we must promote strong, stable, mum and dad families for the good of society as a whole." says Arna Mountain.

ENDS

Voice Rodney is an action group from the Rodney community, committed to promoting a safe and civil society.

ENDS

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