Passing of Relationships Bill another step to ending discrimination in New Zealand
The passing today of the Relationships (Statutory References) Bill was another important step towards ending
discrimination in New Zealand, says Associate Justice Minister David Benson-Pope.
Mr Benson-Pope reiterated the Government's commitment to human rights. He said introducing the Relationships and Civil
Union Bills into Parliament had been a Labour election manifesto promise.
The passing of this legislation was made all the more significant because the issues were treated as conscience issues
in Parliament and passed because of cross-party support.
"There is no place in New Zealand society for this kind of discrimination," said Mr Benson-Pope. "These Bills were
always about justice and fairness and Parliament was right to back them."
Mr Benson-Pope thanked his Parliamentary colleagues from all parties who supported the Relationships Bill, which passed
its third reading today with a roughly two-thirds majority.