Recent Opposition attacks on women and gays in power are unjustified, says the Green Party, and civil unions are not "social engineering." Green MP Metiria Turei suggests that the recent attacks by the Opposition can be seen in a positive light. "[They are] simply a cry of frustration from those upset that traditional power structures are being challenged," she told GayNZ.com. "I think the backlash is actually an indication that we are moving towards a freer, more democratic and socially conscious society." She says enacting civil unions was merely a recognition of social change that has already occurred, not social engineering. “Across our country, and indeed the world, communities want legal recognition of same-sex relationships and the opportunity for heterosexual couples to have their status formalised without having to be married,” she says. “Marriage is a cultural institution arising from its own particular history and circumstances.” Also rejected by the Greens were suggestions from National leader Don Brash that civil unions should have been put to a referendum. Turei says human rights should not be the subject of referenda. “The Greens recognise the importance of referenda on critical constitutional issues, such as electoral reform. But they should only be used where the answer to the question will affect every voter equally, and that is not the case with the Civil Unions issue,” she says. "Referenda can easily be used by a majority to oppress a minority, so they are clearly not appropriate for every question."
Credit: GayNZ.com News Staff
First published: Thursday, 28th April 2005 - 12:00pm