While the National Party is poised to almost bloc-vote against the Civil Union Bill, making a mockery of the conscience vote process, its youth wing has joined up with the youth divisions of every other major political party to support the Bill in an unprecedented move. At a joint press conference held yesterday at Parliament House, Young National, ACT on Campus, Young Greens, Young Labour, and Young Progressives issued a joint statement in support of the Bill, saying the issue was bigger than party politics. "We believe most young people are supportive and comfortable with the concept of giving de facto and same-sex couples the right to enter into a civil union,” they said. Only two of National's 27 MPs are now confirmed as voting for the Bill, despite several polls over the last year which indicated a majority of the New Zealand public support the legislation. A breakdown of figures in these polls showed little difference across party lines, with support amongst the Bill from National voters as high as 63%.
Credit: GayNZ.com News Staff
First published: Thursday, 2nd December 2004 - 12:00pm