PM's Presser: Civil Unions, Equity, Iraq And Winston
Prime Ministers Press Conference June 28 2004
By Kevin List
In This Edition:
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The Civil Union Bill
Answers relating to last week's vote on the first reading of the controversial Civil Union Bill. Some answers
sepecifically relate to comments attributed to Labour MP Janet Mackey and Catholic Cardinal Tom Williams.
On conscience issues people often have a range of views. It is very important that everyone respects each other's views
and positions and that caucus member's don't attack each other. I think the same applies actually across parties. That
generally people should respect other people consciences and not engage in ad hominem attack.
A senior member has spoken with her [Janet Mackey] and that is the advice I have. I think it was probably a throwaway
remark to the local paper that got a rather broader circulation than might have been anticipated. I understand that
she's sorry this has happened."
We don't legislate morals. 19 years after homosexual law reform, Parliament is now tackling the issue of legal
recognition of the relationship. I think from the nature of the debate in the House last week you would understand how
deeply people feel about this.
I assume the same people wouldn't have voted for homosexual law reform 19 years ago. It is sad to listen to it all
again. But that's life.
The conscience issue is one where members need to decide that issue for themselves.
I have enormous respect for Cardinal Williams but I found those comments a bit sad too. There are a range of views in
the community, and I think the more respect and tolerance that is shown to those views the better.
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Pay Equity
Answers relating to questions regarding Government initiatives on pay equity.
As Minister of Labour I've brought legislation to Parliament in the past on pay equity. It was achievable at that time
because there were nationwide awards that made it possible to compare occupations. That hasn't been the case since the
early 1990s.
The Government has done two key things. One set up the Employment Equity Commissioner… and secondly the paper that was
released recently about the review of the issues in the Public Sector. and how the Government may tackle those.
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The Changeover In Iraq
Answers relating to questions regarding the changeover in Iraq and any impact this may have on New Zealand's current
military contribution.
The engineers come home at the end of September sometime. They are living in a high threat environment [the engineers]
It is always dangerous. We deploy under national command. They have a senior officer there. They're responsible to him.
The administration [Iraqi] is also making the request that people carry on with what they are doing. I am not saying we
have a request from the administration What I am saying is that every public utterance of the interim Iraqi
administration has been to the effect of 'would people please not leave now'.
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The Impact Of Urgency On Questions Of The Day
Answer relating to a question about urgency and any possible impact on the questions of the day this move would have.
Well that's a matter between the Government and Opposition. If they are prepared to give guarantees on making sufficient
progress questions are always possible. But we haven't been able to reach such understandings in recent times.
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Allegations Concerning Rt Hon Winston Peters
Answers relating to allegations from Ross Meurant's ex-wife (Meurant was employed by NZ First) in an affidavit alleging
payments from Simunovich fisheries to Meurant, and now the subject of a defamation lawsuit [ taken by Peters against
TVNZ].
As I said in the House last week - has there been a breach of Standing Orders? The Speaker is the only person who can
rule on whether there has been a prima facie case made out, which should then be looked at by the Privileges Committee.
The other issue is whether the allegations are of a sufficiently serious nature involving a suggestion of criminal
offending that they would be picked up by the Police or referred to the Police.
My understanding is that the affidavit that was reported in last week was the same as that covered by Television New
Zealand three or four months ago. No one in the last three or four months seems to have referred that to the Police
which is interesting in itself.
Well in effect my comments to the House [on the allegations concerning Rt Hon Winston Peters] were 'put up or shut up'.
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