Comment From The Capital The Sex Questioxs-a Tale... (Press, 12 August 1974)

On 12 August 1974, a commentary by Cedric Mentiplay discussed the evolving landscape of parliamentary debates in New Zealand regarding sensitive issues of abortion and homosexuality. The concept of a "vote of conscience" has emerged as a significant aspect of the current parliamentary session, evidenced by Prime Minister Norman Kirk and Opposition leader Robert Muldoon allowing members to vote freely on the controversial Crimes Amendment Bill, sponsored by National Party member V.S. Young. This bill could pave the way for amendments relating to abortion laws. The National Party conference had recently sparked discussions that were described as “sex-oriented,” although only a small fraction of topics addressed were related to sexual behaviour. Notably, the subjects of homosexuality and abortion captured the public's attention, revealing a heightened public consciousness despite only a fraction of conference remits being relevant to these themes. Kirk's and Muldoon's stances on these issues reflect their personal convictions. Muldoon expressed his support for Young's bill while firmly opposing any changes to abortion laws. Conversely, Kirk firmly opposes normalising homosexual behaviour and has pledged to vote against the current form of the bill, signalling a conservative approach to these matters. The parliamentary process for examining this bill involves an open session with a committee from both sides, creating an environment for extensive debate. There exists a possibility that the bill may not return for further stages, although Kirk reassured that it would undergo discussion and different amendments would be addressed. He warned of the chaotic nature that can arise during free votes, recalling past instances where confusion led to unexpected outcomes. Kirk also emphasised the importance of responsible media coverage during the bill's proceedings and the public's right to information from committee hearings. He highlighted the challenge of accurately representing the discussions without oversimplifying complex evidence. Regarding the topic of abortion, Kirk expressed concerns about the inequity faced by those who can obtain abortions legally in other countries while facing restrictions at home. He admitted that while there are legal abortions performed annually in Christchurch, he was not entirely convinced that the existing law was inadequate despite acknowledging some progress over the years in widening its scope, including conditions where psychological factors play a role. Kirk's engagement with groups like the Society for the Protection of the Unborn Child indicates a serious consideration of various perspectives regarding abortion reform. However, he maintained that any changes or discussions stemming from the new Auckland clinic's activities would necessitate thorough legal scrutiny. Overall, the debate regarding abortion laws in New Zealand is anticipated to be lengthy and complex, with the potential for legislative change hinging on the outcomes of the discussions, which may see both Kirk and Muldoon's perspectives converging in a surprising political alignment.

The text on this page is created, in the most part, using Generative AI and so may contain errors or omissions. It is supplied to you without guarantee or warranty of correctness. If you find an error or would like to make a content suggestion please get in contact

The text on this page is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 New Zealand