Relationships Bill Lowers the Standard
Christian Heritage NZ says the Relationships (Statutory References) Bill will contribute to a further lowering of
commitment levels in human relationships in New Zealand. The Bill which may pass its final reading today means all
couples whether married or de-facto will be treated essentially the same in law and policy, apart from a few minor
exceptions.
Christian Heritage NZ leader Mr Ewen McQueen said it was ironic that in so many other areas of politics and business,
standards are constantly being set higher to encourage New Zealanders to strive for greater achievement. However when it
comes to relationships and family life the process being followed seems to be one of continuous degradation, rather than
continuous improvement. He said,
“Family life is an area where the Government should be raising the standard, and encouraging greater commitment on the
part of couples, not reducing it to the lowest common denominator. Marriage and the higher level of commitment that it
defines should be the ‘gold standard’ that public policy is encouraging New Zealanders to aspire to. Instead the message
being communicated with this Bill is that the Government thinks all relationships are the same. How is that going to
inspire anyone? ”
The CHNZ leader went on to say that the Bill showed exactly why the anti-discrimination provisions of the Human Rights
Act were an ass. He said,
“If we are required to lower the recognised standards of commitment in our relationship culture simply to be consistent
with the Human Rights Act, then the Human Rights Act is clearly an impediment to social progress. At the very least
marital status should be removed from being one of the prohibited grounds for discrimination.”
Ewen McQueen
Leader, Christian Heritage NZ