Anti-bill Petition Boost Planned (Press, 3 June 1985)

On 3 June 1985, opposition to the Homosexual Law Reform Bill in New Zealand is intensifying as campaigners plan to enhance their signature collection efforts with a national advertising campaign. Mr Graeme Lee, a National Party member of Parliament for Hauraki, announced that the goal is to amass a million signatures by 15 June. The petition initiative, which has been active for 11 weeks, currently anticipates reaching over 750,000 signatures soon. The campaign will feature advertisements containing new information regarding A.I.D.S. and health warnings from New Zealand doctors, which are set to appear in daily newspapers. Mr Lee and fellow MP Mr Norman Jones from Invercargill have been at the forefront of the opposition, firmly against the bill aimed at decriminalising consensual homosexual activity among males aged over 16. Additionally, the bill seeks to offer protection for children under 16 and include amendments to the Human Rights Commission Act to prevent discrimination based on sexual orientation. The bill is currently under review by a Parliamentary select committee, with submissions' hearings anticipated to continue for months. Meanwhile, the Deputy Prime Minister, Mr Palmer, has indicated that there is an expectation for Parliament to address the bill within the current year.

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