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Youth wings back gay marriage bill

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Youth wings back gay marriage bill

3News NZ

Young Nationals, Young Labour, Young Greens, ACT on Campus and Mana Rangatahi issued a joint statement today urging their MPs to vote for Labour MP Louisa Wall's bill

Young Nationals, Young Labour, Young Greens, ACT on Campus and Mana Rangatahi issued a joint statement today urging their MPs to vote for Labour MP Louisa Wall's bill

The youth wings of five political parties have come out in support of the gay marriage bill that will come up for debate in Parliament on Wednesday.

Young Nationals, Young Labour, Young Greens, ACT on Campus and Mana Rangatahi issued a joint statement today urging their MPs to vote for Labour MP Louisa Wall's bill.

Young Nats president Sean Topham says members have been lobbying MPs "from day one" while Young Labour spokesman Sam Thompson says marriage equality was voted "number one priority" at its conference.

The Young Greens don't need to lobby their MPs - all 14 have said they will support the bill.

ACT on Campus has previously challenged its only MP, party leader John Banks, to support the bill or face losing youth wing support.

Mr Banks is a conservative who voted against civil unions.

Mana Rangatahi, the youth wing of the Mana Party, says it's delighted party leader Hone Harawira is going to support the bill.

The bill will come up for its first reading on Wednesday, although it might not get to a vote before Parliament adjourns.

A survey published in the New Zealand Herald today suggests it has the numbers to get through its first reading.

MPs will cast conscience votes and the survey found 61 were committed to backing it, 17 were against it and the rest were undecided or wouldn't comment.

Prime Minister John Key has said he will back the bill all the way to its third reading, and Labour leader David Shearer is also supporting it.

NZN

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Comments

6/09/2012 2:34:47 p.m.

frank wrote:

It would really worry me if we were to legislate on the strength of the views of our youth, they are not yet mature, young people will go for anything that is controversial. Leave our young people out of it ,and stop trying to mould them

28/08/2012 4:41:12 p.m.

Ichthyic wrote:

"what rights do straight people currently lack?" I'm thinking that the right these people objecting to marriage equality want, is there to be a legal right not to be offended! Sorry, not gonna happen.

28/08/2012 11:12:51 a.m.

Craig Young wrote:

Straight people are already recognised under the Human Rights Act 1993 when it comes to sexual orientation. They are also free to enter into civil unions, marry, adopt children, have fertility treatment, use contraception, commit marital infidelity, and suffer no problems with their sexual orientation due to discrimination in the fields of employment, accomodation and service provision. I agree with Michael...what rights do straight people currently lack?

27/08/2012 11:22:01 p.m.

Michael wrote:

@Erm: what? What rights do straights currently lack?

27/08/2012 7:34:19 p.m.

Erm... wrote:

Nice. When gays have their rights, will they start campaigning for straight rights?

27/08/2012 4:58:17 p.m.

Julian and Frederick wrote:

Hoorray for gay rights. We're so excited. Can't wait for our big day. We'll be wearing pink.

27/08/2012 4:32:27 p.m.

JESSICA wrote:

get stuffed and who cares what would they know .