Human Rights Submissions (Press, 11 May 1977)

On 11 May 1977, a parliamentary select committee in Christchurch heard public submissions on a proposed Human Rights Commission Bill aimed at prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation and other grounds. Dr K. Clement, chairman of the Canterbury Council for Civil Liberties, advocated for the definition of marital status to be broadened to encompass any permanent relationship, including same-sex partnerships. He argued that long-term lesbian relationships should be explicitly recognised under the bill. Penny Fenwick, an assistant lecturer in sociology at the University of Canterbury, expressed that the bill failed to adequately address discrimination against individuals. She suggested that discrimination should also be regarded as unlawful based on factors like age, family responsibilities, personal appearance, political affiliation, physical disabilities, financial status, and location of residence or business. There was widespread dissent regarding the current discrimination faced by individuals in de facto relationships. Additionally, there was a consensus on the need for the proposed Human Rights Commission to include at least one female member. Sociologist Peggy Koopman-Boyden emphasised that age should be regarded as an immutable characteristic, deserving protection against discrimination, particularly in employment contexts for older persons. Mrs A. Shoebridge, assistant co-ordinator of the Homemakers’ Union, recommended that the bill’s definition of marital status include a sexual preference description, which would protect New Zealand's estimated five per cent homosexual population from discrimination issues related to employment, housing, and social standing. Jacqueline Steincamp from the Abortion Law Reform Association highlighted the unique problems faced by women due to family responsibilities, suggesting the commission require a specialist in women's rights to address these issues adequately. Steincamp also critiqued the bill for inadequately upholding fundamental civil liberties, freedom of information, and privacy rights. The Canterbury-Westland branch of the Young Nationals echoed the value of human rights protection but cautioned against the commission evolving into an overarching body that might impose restrictive anti-discrimination measures. Policy officer Mr W. J. Barclay argued that a law aimed at eliminating sex discrimination in job advertisements could be unnecessary, asserting that the notion of complete gender equality is unrealistic, given the complexities of defining discrimination legally and the variances in individual circumstances. In a separate note, it was reported that Mr A. Hilton from Wellington was re-elected as president of the Music Federation of New Zealand, with R. F. Cullen and J. F. Collins from Christchurch joining the executive committee.

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