Homosexual Law Proposal Rejected By Young Nats (Press, 8 April 1985)

At their policy conference held at Lincoln College over the weekend, the South Island Young Nationals expressed their opposition to the homosexual law reform bill currently before Parliament. The bill was rejected with a vote of 11 to 15 among the approximately 40 attendees. Mr Nick Smith, the chairman of the Young Nationals' Canterbury-Westland branch, articulated that while some form of homosexual law reform is necessary, they do not support the existing proposal. He stated that homosexual acts should not be criminalised, but they should not be deemed as "normal" either. The group was particularly concerned that the bill implied rights for homosexuals to marry and adopt children, which they opposed. Moreover, the conference also discussed the Rugby Union's proposed tour of South Africa, with the delegates unanimously agreeing that the decision should be left to the Rugby Union without political interference. There was a strong call for a referendum concerning the Government's nuclear-weapon-free zone policy, with Mr Smith arguing that such a move would facilitate public debate and ensure future Governments respect the referendum's outcome. Economic issues dominated much of the conference's discussions. The delegates proposed a “negative” income tax system to replace all existing social welfare benefits. This would create a streamlined approach to welfare payments, making it more efficient than the current system, according to Mr Smith. Under this proposed system, individuals earning below a set threshold would not pay income tax, while those without income would receive assistance based on their needs, eliminating the distinctions between different benefit categories. The Young Nationals also advocated that unemployment benefits should only be available in exchange for part-time training or work and called for an increase in vocational training offered in secondary schools. They expressed concerns that the current education system was overly focused on academic achievement, failing to adequately prepare students for the workforce. Additionally, the conference supported the legalisation and licensing of prostitution, reflecting a progressive stance on this social issue. The discussions at the conference highlighted the Young Nationals' inclination towards reform in both social and economic policies, while also holding conservative views on certain rights and issues.

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