8.40PM: With almost 10% of general election votes counted, three minor parties who have indicated they are supportive of LGBT issues seem highly likely to return to Parliament based on electorate wins. Jim Anderton for the Progressive Party in Wigram, Rodney Hide for ACT in Epsom, and Peter Dunne for United Future in Ohariu are each leading in their electorates. Additionally, their respective parties appear to be polling strongly enough to ensure each a seat, given their top placings on their parties' lists. On the current share of the party vote, Hide is likely to be accompanied by three of ACT's liberal, and therefore fairly glbt-friendly, candidates. The Progressives are likely to once again side with Labour to form a government, while ACT and United Future traditionally side with National. Meanwhile, the higher polling Greens are holding steady at just over 6% of the party vote, giving them a likely eight glbt-friendly MPs.
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News Staff
First published: Saturday, 8th November 2008 - 8:37pm