John Banks has had a major change in tune since 1986 ACT Leader John Banks has announced he will vote in favour of the first reading of Labour MP Louisa Wall’s marriage equality bill, 26 years on from his vicious opposition to homosexual law reform. Banks is refusing to expand on his move, telling the New Zealand Herald “because I am”, when it asked for an explanation. ACT Party president Chris Simmons says it was Banks' own decision, and the party's board did not pressure him to support the bill. It continues the softening stance of the long-time politician, who as a National MP in 1986 said: "This day will be remembered as a sad and sickening day for New Zealand," when the Homosexual Law Reform Bill passed. As a radio broadcaster he also said shoving barbed wire up gay men’s arses would be “a waste of good barbed wire”.
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Tuesday, 28th August 2012 - 4:36pm