Press Release: Office of the Clerk
Date: Tuesday, 18 May 2004
Time: 7:59 pm NZT

Questions & Answers for Oral Answer 18 May 2004

( Uncorrected transcript-subject to correction and further editing. For corrected transcripts, please visit: http://www.clerk.parliament.govt.nz/hansard )

Tuesday, 18 May 2004
Questions for Oral Answer
Questions to Ministers

Civil Union Bill-Introduction

5. Rt Hon WINSTON PETERS (Leader-NZ First) to the Leader of the House: Can he advise when the Government plans to introduce the civil union bill to the House?

Hon Dr MICHAEL CULLEN (Leader of the House): I expect that the bill will be introduced some time in mid-June.

Rt Hon Winston Peters: Has the Leader of the House been informed as to whether any part of the bill relating to 'degrees of sexuality' is likely to affect those who are 'slightly heterosexual' the same as it would affect those who are 'absolutely heterosexual'; if not, why not?

Hon Dr MICHAEL CULLEN: From my knowledge of the bill, I suspect that the member was being somewhat too subtle. As I recollect, the reference is to 'sexual orientation'. There may be 360 degrees, but I am aware of only two or three varieties.

Gordon Copeland: Has the Leader of the House seen any media reports or advertisements that stem from parties in this House expressing their opposition to the introduction of the civil union bill; if so, what parties were they?

Hon Dr MICHAEL CULLEN: This vote-certainly, on the part of some parties-is a conscience vote. I think that is certainly true of both the National and Labour parties. No doubt there are members on both sides of that issue. Of course, we know that there are some members on both sides of the underlying issue, but we will not go into that too closely. I understand that United Future will be taking a party position opposing the bill.

Hon Richard Prebble: With regard to civil unions, would the House be correct in describing the coalition agreement between the Labour Government and United Future as a 'civil union'; if so, is that the sort of thing that decent, common-sense people should support?

Larry Baldock: I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker. I would like to point out that the member is wrong. It was not a coalition agreement but a supply-

Mr SPEAKER: That is not a point of order. I do not think the question requires any comment, but the Minister may like to do so.

Hon Dr MICHAEL CULLEN: My experience of the agreement between United Future and the Labour Government is that it has been an extraordinarily civil union. I think the great regret is that some existing marriages are not a great deal more civil than they are.

Rt Hon Winston Peters: Has the Leader of the House received any reports or advice as to progress on the bill, given that concerned constituents are contacting my office about declarations from members of Parliament, such as: 'I am myself absolutely heterosexual, but will support the legislation because I am entirely comfortable with two loving adults being allowed to formally contract to live together, whether they be man and woman or of the same sex.' That was signed by Don Brash, the leader of the National Party.

Hon Dr MICHAEL CULLEN: I have to say I am extraordinarily comfortable with the Leader of the Opposition's position on this.