MEDIA RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

26 March 2000

YOUNG NATS SHOW COMMITMENT TO EQUALITY

Young Nationals at their annual policy conference have come out strongly in favour of equal rights for same sex couples, and the decriminalisation of solicitation.

In an impassioned debate, the conference resolved that "Young Nationals firmly support equal rights for same sex couples in all areas of New Zealand law."

The conference overwhelmingly supported the policy, wanting to show a real commitment to an inclusive and diverse society. Previous Young Nationals policy has been for same sex couples to have equal rights to de facto heterosexual couples. This goes further in not specifically excluding marriage and adoption.

"We congratulate leader Jenny Shipley, who kick started the debate on the issue by deciding to have the Justice Ministry in 1999 review all existing discrimination for same sex couples under New Zealand law," said National's Youth Vice President Daniel Gordon.

In a related debate, Young Nationals also resolved "that solicitation by sex workers be decriminalised." The main issue here was the hypocrisy of the current law, where it is legal for quote "clients" to ask for sex for money, but not for "workers" to offer sex for money. This anomaly is anachronistic and should have been changed years ago. We urge the Labour Alliance minority government to introduce legislation to end this discrimination as soon as possible.

"I am proud of this years conference, which has demonstrated that Young Nationals are committed to advancing both economically liberal and socially liberal policies," concluded Daniel Gordon.

Attached is a copy of all motions that were debated at Policy Conference 2000.

For further information contact: Daniel Gordon (021) 229 6812 Scott Higham (021) 288 3736

POLICY MOTIONS DEBATED AT NEW ZEALAND YOUNG NATIONALS POLICY CONFERENCE 2000

WELLINGTON 23-25 MARCH 2000

MOTION 1: That the Government give Russell Coutts a Knighthood - AMENDED TO READ: That NZ Young Nationals support the retention of the current Honours system - PASSED

MOTION 2: That toll roads be used as a supplement to the roading network where traffic volumes warrant (e.g Transmission Gully north of Wellington) - PASSED

MOTION 3: That New Zealand Young Nationals support all students having a guaranteed right to choose whether or not they join a students association - PASSED

MOTION 4: That New Zealand Young Nationals support the continuation and development of a balanced defence force in accordance with our ANZAC obligations - AMENDED TO READ: That New Zealand Young Nationals support the development of a balanced defence force in accordance with our ANZAC and international obligations - PASSED

MOTION 5: That New Zealand Young Nationals firmly support equal rights for same sex couples in all areas of New Zealand law - PASSED

MOTION 6: That solicitation by sex workers be decriminalised - PASSED

MOTION 7: That in the area of employment relations, New Zealand Young Nationals support voluntary union membership - PASSED

MOTION 8: That Television New Zealand be sold immediately - PASSED

MOTION 9: That the New Zealand Young Nationals affirm the right of schools to choose the fully funded option - PASSED

© Scoop Media