Committee of the Whole House

This abstract summarizes a recording from the Committee of the Whole House during the Homosexual Law Reform Bill on April 16, 1986. The location of this historical recording is the Parliament buildings at Wellington, New Zealand. The recording is 55 minutes long and contains speeches and exchanges from prominent political figures such as David Lange, Fran Wilde, Graeme Lee, and Merv Wellington. These individuals debate the provisions of the Homosexual Law Reform Bill, and this particular session is noteworthy as the night when Part 2 of the bill, which contained anti-discrimination clauses, was rejected.

The session delves into the Human Rights Commission's perspective, standing orders, and the implications of cost factors associated with the proposed law. Participants raise technical concerns regarding whether it was within a private member's competence to move a bill that increased public appropriation cost without the crown's recommendation, specifying prior speaker's ruling adherences.

During the debate, members challenge one another to articulate their positions on the bill, with references to the substantial public opposition to it. The discourse deals with the terminological shift from "sexual preference" to "sexual orientation," hinting at inherent characteristics rather than chosen behaviors.

A significant aspect of the debate involves concerns over the bill's potential to normalize and protect behaviors such as paedophilia, invoking strong emotional responses from both sides. The proponents of the bill are accused of advancing obfuscation and introducing legislation drafted by the "international homosexual community." Subsequent discussion revolves around volunteer organizations and their treatment under the bill, with intricate debates over the nuances of paid versus volunteer roles in such organizations.

As the committee moved through a series of amendments to the bill, seeking to establish clear boundaries on where discrimination based on sexual orientation could be deemed acceptable, such as in domestic employment, religious orders, positions of authority over young persons, and the letting of residential property. A considerable part of the debate centered on whether the armed forces, police, traffic officers, and prison officers should be allowed to discriminate based on sexual orientation in their employment practices, which was eventually agreed upon.

Throughout the proceedings, multiple points of order are raised, there are calls for division (a formal vote), and the validity of votes cast is scrutinized. Ultimately, Part two of the bill is not passed, signaling a poignant moment in New Zealand's legislative history concerning human rights and the LGBTQ+ community.

This summary is created using Generative AI. Although it is based on the recording's transcription, it may contain errors or omissions. Click here to learn more about how this summary was created.

David Lange Fran Wilde Graeme Lee Merv Wellington

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