I would like to express my support for the introduction of the Civil Union Bill and the Relationships (Statutory References) Bill.
I believe that these bills are important because they:
1) Remove discrimination from our laws. In this day and age it is unfair that gay and lesbian couples are denied the right to the formal recognition of their relationship. Imagine being together with somebody for over twenty years and then being denied the right to view your partners body if they are in an accident because you are not considered legal next of kin. This is just one example of the hundreds of pieces of legislation that discriminate against homosexual couples. I support the civil unions bill, because I support equality in our country.
2) Recognise the changing nature of relationships. In NZ today there are over 335 000 New Zealanders who identify themselves as having a partner but who are not legally married. That's around one in five New Zealanders living in a heterosexual or homosexual relationship, but not married. This bill will give them the protection, benefits and responsibilities of the legal recognition of their relationships, without the historical and religious connotations that marriage entails.