National MP and Pakuranga candidate Maurice Williamson doesn't regret supporting homosexual law reform, but says he "drew the line" on legal equality for same-sex couples. Responding to an attack by Christian Heritage leader Ewen McQueen that he had an anti-marriage voting record and was too liberal, Williamson said: "Actually I voted against the civil union bill. The idea people who were gay were illegal up until the mid-80s was laughable. But I drew the line when it got to the point they wanted to enjoy the same institution as a heterosexual couple, that is of marriage." McQueen, who heads the former party of convicted child rapist Graham Capill, said Williamson didn't understand the vital importance of marriage. Williamson rejected the statement, saying he believes in families and family values as the centrepiece of society. "But I don't believe in enforcing one size fits all. I think people have different arrangements in their lives, and I think the idea that we're all the same and we all have to comply with a certain model doesn't work," he said.
Credit: GayNZ.com News Staff
First published: Thursday, 8th September 2005 - 12:00pm