My Truth column from August 9 is now on-line.
In 2004 the Civil Union Bill was bitterly contested. Conservatives
lobbied MPs furiously to prevent gays from forming state sanctioned and
recognised partnerships.
Even parties were split on the issue – ACT for example – although
United Future members were unanimous in their opposition. The bill
passed into law narrowly.
Just eight years later a new bill to legislate for gay marriage seems
to be stirring far less division and looks like having the numbers to
pass into law. Even lone surviving United future MP, Peter Dunne, is
indicating support for it. That’s quite a sea change.
Society can change quite rapidly. Emotions burn out. Or people see
incremental change, realise the sky hasn’t fallen and are then amenable
to more. It is my fervent hope that the same attitudinal shift will have
occurred to views about voluntary euthanasia. Labour MP Maryan Street
currently has an End of Life Choice Bill in the ballot.
The last time Parliament debated this issue was 2003. Then, New Zealand First’s Death With Dignity Bill was voted down 60-57.
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1 comment:
It's called "politics by fatigue". Politicians don't have the moral backbone or fibre to fight for these issues - so they just roll over
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