22 November 2000

Graham Capill
Party Leader

Party Leader Graham Capill criticized National Party Leader Jenny Shipley for crossing the floor of Parliament and voting to treat homosexual couples the same as de facto and married couples.

Mr Capill said, “While we applaud the efforts of all MPs that voted against treating de facto couples the same as married couples, Mrs Shipley included, homosexuality is more repugnant than heterosexual de facto relationships and the National Party Leader’s actions failed to recognize that.

“Such a move will certainly undermine the National Party’s efforts to attract the Christian vote. Christians will view Christian Voice, a Branch of the National Party, with cynicism when the Party fails to recognize such a basic issue of morality.

“Last nights vote represents an appalling departure from traditional family life. To treat de facto couples as if they were married, undermines the importance of marriage vows, responsibility and commitment.

The next logical step is to allow homosexuals to marry and adopt children. The homosexual community will argue, that not to do so is discrimination and a breach of the Human Rights Act. Parliament’s decision, therefore, is not just about property rights – it is about the nature of marriage and family life itself.

“That the Leader of the Opposition and some of her senior colleagues failed to see this, is of grave concern. It will only lead to more family breakdown, as a new generation emerges that does not understand what traditional marriage and family life really is,” Mr Capill warned.

Contact: Party Leader Graham Capill Direct line: (03) 352 6720 Mobile: (021) 661 766

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