Thursday 13 May 2004
Dunne’s Opposition to Civil Unions is Anti-Family

Peter Dunne’s opposition to the Civil Union Bill is an ill-informed attack on many New Zealand families, says Civil Union Campaign spokesperson Jeremy Lambert.

“We were very surprised that Peter Dunne and United Future would oppose the Civil Union Bill given that it legally strengthens the modern New Zealand family,” says Jeremy Lambert.

United Future has purchased a large amount of national print advertising this week opposing the Bill, despite the legislation being supported by more than 1.3 million New Zealand adults. (1)

“Certainly it seems a little strange to put so much money and energy into opposing popular family-protecting legislation like this,” says Mr Lambert.

Today thousands of New Zealand couples enjoy loving relationships that are not protected by law. This means that partners are not recognised as family or “next of kin” and can be shut out from important decisions, including medical and funeral arrangements.

The Civil Union Bill will help solve this problem by giving legal status to de- facto and same-sex relationships. It will provide choice to different sex couples who would like legal recognition of their relationships whilst providing an option to same-sex couples.

“Civil Unions are a modern response to the different types of relationship that exist in New Zealand. The Civil Union Bill is about the law ‘catching up’ with how our society has developed,” says Mr Lambert.

For more information about the campaign to support the Civil Union Bill, people can visit www.civilunions.org.nz

Jeremy Lambert
Campaign for Civil Unions Spokesperson

1. Civil Unions Bill Report, One News/Colmar Brunton Poll, 25 April 2004

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