“We may not win every battle, but we’ll lose every battle we don’t even show up to”
Bob McCoskrie
Hi *|FNAME|*
Disappointed? Yep. Giving up? No way!!
You know the saying – when the going gets tough, the tough get going :-). We will be in touch in a week or two to update you on how you can speak up for marriage. Thank you all for the hard work, phone calls and emails to MP’s, and distribution of 150,000 pamphlets. It’s not over yet – not by a long shot!
And be sure to watch the two speeches from National’s Tim MacIndoe and NZ First leader Winston Peters. Superb!
Marriage Debate Fails on Identifying Key Issues
Media Release – just released
In response to the passing of the 2nd reading of the bill opposing traditional marriage, National Director of Family First NZ and co-ordinator of the Protect Marriage campaign, Bob McCoskrie, says:
“It is hugely concerning that the politicians failed to grasp some crucial consequences of changing the definition of marriage.”
“There was virtually no discussion in the 2nd Reading about the major impact on adoption laws that this bill will have. Changes to adoption are being ‘snuck under the door’, yet the changes will be weakening the rights of the child in favour of pandering to the demands of adults.”
“The politicians are also failing to comprehend that the bill as proposed will coerce those with a conscientious objection to same-sex ‘marriage’ to solemnise them against their conscience. This includes all independent marriage celebrants and marriage registrars who perform almost 70% of marriages, and potentially some ministers and celebrants from approved organisations. What the promoters of the bill say, and what the bill actually offers, are two very distinct and separate things.”
“The Select Committee process has been shameful as they have attempted to ram this bill through at speed, and thorough and appropriate debate for such a major social change has been shut down in the interests of expediency.”
“The equality cause is not advanced by destroying institutions. Equality should respect difference, not destroy it. Marriage rightly discriminates. A 14 year old cannot get married. Three or four people cannot get married to each other. A father cannot marry his adult daughter. Even those wanting ‘equality’ believe there should be restrictions.”
“
In 2004, the government introduced Civil Unions and changed over 150 pieces of legislation to provide legal recognition and protection for same-sex relationships in New Zealand. There is currently no discrimination in the law against same-sex couples.”
“It is also highly ironic, but disturbing, that the Greens and Labour are so determined to have a Referendum on state asset sales, but won’t allow one on the state’s greatest asset of marriage. This is called hypocrisy.”
“Family First will work hard to highlight the shortcomings of the bill and the complete lack of need for the bill on the basis of demands for equality and no discrimination. There is still plenty of work to do.”
ENDS
How they voted: 2nd reading
(MP’s who changed their vote highlighted in yellow)
FOR: 77
National: Amy Adams, Chris Auchinvole, Maggie Barry, Paula Bennett, Jackie Blue, Cam Calder, David Carter, Judith Collins, Jacqui Dean, Craig Foss, Aaron Gilmore (new MP), Paul Goldsmith, Jo Goodhew, Tim Groser, Tau Henare, Paul Hutchison, Nikki Kaye, Steven Joyce, John Key, Hekia Parata, Jami-Lee Ross, Scott Simpson, Chris Tremain, Nicky Wagner, Kate Wilkinson, Maurice Williamson.
Labour: Jacinda Ardern, Carol Beaumont (new MP), David Clark, Clayton Cosgrove, David Cunliffe, Clare Curran, Lianne Dalziel, Ruth Dyson, Kris Faafoi, Darien Fenton, Phil Goff, Chris Hipkins, Parekura Horomia, Raymond Huo (did not vote first reading), Shane Jones, Annette King, Iain Lees-Galloway, Andrew Little, Moana Mackey, Nanaia Mahuta, Trevor Mallard, Sue Moroney, David Parker, Rajen Prasad, Grant Robertson, David Shearer, Maryan Street, Rino Tirikatene, Phil Twyford, Louisa Wall, Megan Woods.
Greens: Steffan Browning, David Clendon, Catherine Delahunty, Julie-Anne Genter, Kennedy Graham, Kevin Hague, Gareth Hughes, Jan Logie, Mojo Mathers, Russel Norman, Denise Roche, Metiria Turei, Eugenie Sage, Holly Walker.
Maori Party: Pita Sharples, Te Ururoa Flavell, Tariana Turia
United Future: Peter Dunne
ACT: John Banks
Mana: Hone Harawira
AGAINST: 44
National: Shane Ardern, Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi, David Bennett, Chester Borrows, Simon Bridges, Gerry Brownlee, Jonathan Coleman, Bill English, Chris Finlayson, Nathan Guy, John Hayes, Phil Heatley, Colin King, Melissa Lee, Sam Lotu-Iiga, Tim Macindoe, Todd McClay, Murray McCully, Ian McKelvie, Mark Mitchell, Alfred Ngaro, Simon O’Connor, Eric Roy, Tony Ryall, Mike Sabin, Katrina Shanks, Nick Smith, Lindsay Tisch, Anne Tolley, Louise Upston, Michael Woodhouse, Jian Yang, Jonathan Young.
Labour: Damien O’Connor, Ross Robertson, Su’a William Sio
NZ First: Asenati Lole-Taylor, Tracey Martin, Winston Peters, Richard Prosser, Barbara Stewart, Andrew Williams, Denis O’Rourke.
Independent: Brendan Horan
Thank you for standing for marriage!
Kind regards
Bob McCoskrie
National Director
