Mr. English and the Turn
(31/01/2017)
As John Key leaves office, and the transitional period of ushering in the new Prime Minister, New Zealand may well be
entering a new phase of governmental relations. The real question is, where do Queer New Zealanders and other minority
groups lie in this changing of the guard?
In context we must include the Americans, not to spite the red-white-and-blue flag wavers, but to include a more
cosmopolitan reality. America is a greater image of wider Democracy and has intense influence, however tacitly, on
global issues. With our change of guard comes the American ‘new regime’ effectively. Donald J. Trump has already
surprised and hurt many diverse groups, to say the least: Muslims; affected insurance holders; Liberal sentiments and
the Russians. What coincides with this American standing is in the details of Bill English.
This 55 year old, 39th Prime Minister of New Zealand, is stepping into his office after a second attempt (re: 2002).
What readers need to remember is that Bill English is more Conservative than his predecessor, expressly Church-driven
and with a head for numbers. Already we are seeing this change of ideas with his less-than-satisfactory grumble towards
Trump’s conduct with refugees; Islamists and New Zealand visa applications (of those originating from the 10 Countries
list). This beckons the question: Where does Mr. English stand on these issues?
With Trump moving between civil liberties, which to the Americans governs their governmental and societal behaviour, we
could be forgiven for being a little cautious around how our government engages with the Americans. This turns us
towards the onset of Queer rights in New Zealand. Yes, we successfully have initiated the Marriage Act with provisions
for Same-sex relations, yet this does little to address the struggles of Transgender or Intersex citizens. For example,
New Zealand’s Bill of Rights and Human Rights charters still has no provisions for Transgender (and Intersex) persons to
be included within anti-discrimination legislation as actual citizens. This means people who are merely living their
lives within the framework of a recognised identity socially are not protected in the law against employment biases and
discrimination. And we live in a 2017 New Zealand. Interestingly, in the recent Same-sex legislation it has been noted
that Bill English voted ‘against’ in the vote at Parliament. Understandably, this was a conscience vote (placed under
personal morality), however it opens an opportunity for the new Prime Minister to engage more socially amongst the
issues of New Zealand. This is where the Americans actually engage in our rhetoric, with Mr. English seemingly more
Conservative than the previous leader it makes his interactions with Trump as being incredibly relative.
Mr. English has been known to ‘follow orders’ rather than instigate change, yet his comments on the recent actions of
Trump on refugees and Islamists suggests that he too may instigate some changes on a level where he may subtlety follow
the example of Trump. This is not to say that he would outright act to the detriment of community groups, but what is
clear however, is that with his continued approval of the increasingly static refugee-quota of last year we may not see
the Liberal changes that a more liberal National had begun. What this means is, to Mr. English’s previous record of
Conservative ideals, we may see a stagnation to liberties in the face of a looming election. Mr. English may simply
‘continue the progress’ that Mr. John Key had implemented and the drive of social initiatives may whither away.
We have yet to see the indifference of Mr. English in the guise of a political election, and he may very well surprise
us yet, but what is certain is that New Zealand may not become as progressive as we had lead others to believe - and in
a time that needs progression more than ever in the light of our most recent political changes.
Lara Romsdal,
For Scoop