Tue, 22 June 2004
Rainbow Labour unreservedly supports the Civil Union Bill and Relationships (Statutory References) Bill.
"The civil union legislation introduced by the Government is a fair response to the pressing need for legal equality for
same-sex and de facto couples", said Rainbow Labour Co-Chair, Michael Wallmannsberger.
The bills will provide equal rights and responsibilities for all couples and will recognise de facto and same-sex
relationships that are currently ignored by the law.
The civil unions approach respects the values of New Zealanders who hold the traditional view that marriage is between a
man and a woman but ends unjustified discrimination against same-sex and de facto couples.
"These changes are in-step with the trend in other countries, some of which have a far less prestigious track-record on
human rights issues than New Zealand", Mr Wallmannsberger concluded.
ENDS