Several MPs are reportedly pulling their support for the Civil Union Bill, despite openly expressing their support for both the Bill and the gay community previously. NZ First MP Brian Donnelly, one of only two MPs from that party to support the Bill, has indicated via deputy leader Peter Brown that he is removing his support and lending it to his party's call for a referendum on the issue. Donnelly's first reading speech was an emotive appeal to opponents of same-sex marriage to be tolerant, and realise their candles won't burn less brightly if they light someone else's. National MP Pansy Wong, who earlier this year attempted to start a gay supporters wing for her party, is understood to be wavering, along with National leader Don Brash – who is concerned that the government is ignoring the select committee submissions, some of which said homosexuals should be put to death. Maori Party leader Tariana Turia, who took on Destiny's Richard Lewis in a televised debate in September and challenged him to explain precisely how the Civil Union Bill would undermine marriage, has surprised her former Labour colleagues by pulling her support for the Bill. She now feels the legislation is unnecessary.
Credit: GayNZ.com News Staff
First published: Tuesday, 30th November 2004 - 12:00pm