New Zealand marriage bill gets up

New Zealand marriage bill gets up

New Zealand Labour MP Louisa Wall’s bill on same-sex marriage is to go before the country’s Parliament, Express Magazine reports.

The members’ bill ballot today drew the Marriage (Definition of Marriage) Amendment Bill, which would allow all New Zealanders to marry regardless of their sexual orientation.

Members’ bills in New Zealand go into the ballot where they compete with numerous others for a place on Parliament’s agenda. One or two are usually drawn every second Wednesday when Parliament sits.

New Zealand prime minister John Key has previously stated he is not opposed to same-sex marriage, but added it’s not a priority for his government.

“I am not personally opposed to gay marriage,” he said.

“It is possible that Parliament may consider a member’s bill at some stage, but it is not on the government’s agenda.”

Same-sex couples in New Zealand are currently able to enter into a civil union which offers the same legal protections as a marriage

The bill will now be debated on a first reading and there will be a conscience vote that decides whether it will go any further.

A draft of the proposed New Zealand bill can be viewed here.

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