The Human Rights Commission is not commenting on a new bill, due to be voted on in Parliament this week, that would ban gay marriage and amend anti-discrimination protections for gays in the Bill of Rights. United Future MP Larry Baldock's bill was drawn from the private member's ballot last week, and mirrors a push by the religious right in America – endorsed by US President George Bush – to amend the constitution to ban gays in that country from marrying. Commission spokesperson Carolyne Jurriaans told GayNZ.com that they'll be making no comment at this stage, as they have not seen the bill, but referred to their select committee submission on the Civil Union Bill last year, in which the Commission said that same-sex couples should be entitled to equal status under the law, and be given access to the Marriage Act. If the Commission does choose to comment, it is unlikely to be through the media. "With legislaiton, until we've seen it, we don't normally comment, and when we do it would be at the appropriate time in the parliamentary process," says Jurriaans. "If it reaches the select commitee stage, we'll make a submmission on it, and make our opinions clear at that stage." Only one political party has confirmed their stance on the bill – the Greens have labelled it an "outrage" and will vote against it. All other parties, including Labour, are reserving comment until their caucus meetings tomorrow.