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PRESS RELEASE

26 Mar 2013

Marriage Certain to be Election Issue

“It’s becoming clearer,” says Conservative Party leader Colin Craig, “that the more information New Zealanders get about this bill to redefine the word marriage, the less they want it.”

The result of today’s Herald digipoll (less than 50% support) on redefining marriage is no shock. It is consistent with a range of other polls that show that as debate continues, support for the bill is decreasing*.

"Some proponents of the Bill have made comments like 'you’re either for it or against it', or that 'views are fixed along generational lines'. However, my experience is that as I’ve been able to debate this bill with New Zealanders, I’ve found many, and especially younger people, decide to change their mind and oppose the bill once they understand the detail,” says Colin Craig.

The simple fact is that civil unions have provided exactly the same legal rights for same sex couples as marriage provides for heterosexuals. The only difference is when it comes to the issue of stranger adoption.

The adoption law requires we do what’s in the best interests of a child. "It’s my opinion, and that of most New Zealanders** that it’s in a child’s best interests to have both a mum and a dad. Redefining marriage, and the consequential change to adoption, denies the natural reality that children only result from a heterosexual relationship," adds Mr Craig.

As more New Zealanders are moving to oppose this enforced cultural change, the unseemly haste to rush through this legislation will further ensure the relevance of this debate in next year’s general election.

The Conservative Party of New Zealand is the only party arguing against this bill. “New Zealanders have had enough of enforced cultural change,” says Colin Craig.
References:

Name of Poll	Date	Percentage Support for Same Sex Marriage
TVNZ Colmar Brunton	June 2012	63%
Herald on Sunday	December 2012	54%
Curia Research	February 2013	47%

Drop in support: 16%

Alternatively, look at Research New Zealand’s polling on the matter:

Name of Poll	Date	Percentage Support for Same Sex Marriage
Research NZ	July 2011	60%
Research NZ	September 2012	49%

Drop in support: 11%
** Perceptions regarding Marriage Amendment Bill, Summary Report. Research First, 16 Jan 2013.

ENDS

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