Homosexual Bill Polls At Loggerheads (Press, 3 July 1985)
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Summary: Homosexual Bill Polls At Loggerheads (Press, 3 July 1985)
The Leader of the Opposition in New Zealand, Mr McLay, has stated his intention to vote against the Homosexual Law Reform Bill despite the results of a recent poll indicating that a majority of his constituents in Birkenhead support homosexual acts between consenting adults in private. This poll, conducted by the Heylen Research Centre for the Campaign for Equality, surveyed 500 people and found that 47.8 per cent supported such acts, while 43 per cent were opposed. The poll also explored views on the age of consent: 20 per cent believed it should be 16 years or younger, 25.8 per cent suggested it should be between 17 and 20 years, while 10 per cent thought it should be 21 or older. Additionally, 38.3 per cent of respondents felt that homosexuality should not be allowed at any age, and 4.6 per cent were uncertain about their stance. Overall, 56 per cent of those polled indicated some level of support for homosexuality at various ages. In a previous nationwide poll conducted in April 1985, support was reported at 57.1 per cent. Mr McLay's own survey, conducted earlier in April, presented contrasting findings, with more than 60 per cent of the 1,995 respondents in his constituency opposing the law reform. This discrepancy has led to disputes between the two camps, each asserting their data accurately reflects public sentiment. A spokesperson for the Campaign for Equality, Mr Peter Wall, described Mr McLay's survey as inaccurate and unprofessional, while Mr McLay defended his poll, claiming it was carefully executed with professional consultation and involved random selection from the Birkenhead electoral roll. The controversy highlights the differing opinions regarding homosexual law reform within the electorate, as well as broader debates on the social and legal status of homosexuality in New Zealand during this period. Despite the poll findings, Mr McLay's commitment to oppose the bill suggests a potential disconnect between political leadership and constituent beliefs on this sensitive issue.
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