12 December 2016

Bill English needs to be a Prime Minister for all New Zealanders

Rainbow Wellington congratulates Bill English on winning the top job in politics but is calling on him to be a Prime Minister for all New Zealanders and a true leader for social justice. “Our people are naturally very concerned about his track record on social issues,” says Chair of Rainbow Wellington, Rawa Karetai.

Karetai continued also saying that "Bill English likes to say that the personal and political are separated but his voting record is a direct reflection of which church he chooses to go to every week".

Bill English opposed marriage equality at every stage. English even said the law change was harmless but voted against it anyway, saying “People can have equal treatment (if) they get registered by the state with their relationship”. Well, civil unions provide exactly that, but he couldn’t bring himself to support them either.

"We get it that some people hold different views of our own - we’re all about diversity - it’s the inconsistencies and contradictions in his position that he needs to account for". Karetai said.

Bill English once told Colin James that “Social justice is a powerful idea. It puts us on the watch for unearned and undeserved privilege.”

"That would be great if he practiced what he preaches, but instead he voted to defend marriage laws that put the religious values of people like himself above those of others," said Karetai.

Karetai continued saying that "Now that Bill English is the Prime Minister, we’re calling on Bill to step up and become a true leader for social justice. Rainbow Wellington is willing to call time on the past and work constructively with the new leadership - we think it’s cool for him to be Catholic, we just want the same deal for all Kiwis'.

Rainbow Wellington is a group representing the Human Rights interests and to organise the social activities for the lesbian, gay, transgender, bisexuals, Intersex, allies and related queer groups in the Greater Wellington region of New Zealand.

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