Wong Pansy: Civil Union Bill — In Committee Procedure 
Wong Pansy: Civil Union Bill — In Committee Procedure 
[Volume:622;Page:17592] 
PANSY WONG (National) 
: 
 Two weeks ago I was invited back to Hong Kong to take part in a public seminar as part of the 50th anniversary celebration programme of my high-profile high school. In that speech I stated I was an above average student when I applied myself but most of the time I did not achieve to that standard during my time at high school. It was no surprise that principals and teachers struggled to recall this now high-profile alumni because it was my coming to New Zealand that brought about that change. New Zealand gives me the space the opportunity and the motivation to realise my potential. My pride as a member of the Asian ethnic minority community the determination to earn my rights as a New Zealander and the frustration of having to justify those rights stir up the dormant competitiveness inside me. 
I work relentlessly to reinforce the positive image of New Zealanders as fair-minded people who believe in giving others a fair go. Ours is a country where minorities will have space and rights as long as the rights of the majority are not eroded. Passing the Civil Union Bill does not take away any rights from a man and a woman who choose to commit to each other under the Marriage Act and who are legally entitled to address each other as husband and wife. Same-gender couples and heterosexual couples are given a separate legal framework when they choose to commit to each other. 
If this bill had made amendments to the Marriage Act to make room for same-gender couples I would not have supported it. It is important to accept that we do not live in a perfect world from every person’s perspective. Some will argue that this is a compromise and we do need to compromise in a society of collective membership. In my judgment that compromise means that minorities should be given space as long as the majority’s rights are not eroded. 
This Parliament in 1987 passed legislation to decriminalise homosexuality. I remember the bitter arguments and the images of hatred and frustration of those times. The legislation was passed and many now would say that of course it is not right to discriminate against gay members—which was not the case in 1987. Parliamentarians need to take into consideration the status quo preference of the majority against the need to bring about enlightened attitudes so that minorities in our society can go about their business without the shame and fear of being different. 
I would like to read an extract from one of the very many emails that I like many members of Parliament have received: “It’s not easy to discover that you are gay. Our society makes it very clear what it thinks of gay people. We all hear the terrible jokes the hurtful stereotypes and the wrong ideas that circulate about gay people. It is no wonder that one might choose to hide one’s gay feelings from others. One might even be tempted to hide them from oneself.” 
I have not supported the lowering of the drinking age prostitution reform or the voluntary euthanasia bill which hardly puts me in the liberal camp but I do support adults who choose to make a sincere commitment to each other. The passage of the Civil Union Bill will not undermine marriage. In the last 2 years we have seen statistics proving that the number of marriages has increased. 
Rt Hon Winston Peters 
: What about a referendum? 
PANSY WONG 
: If New Zealand First members want to take another call they are welcome to do that. In my speech I have stated very clearly that parliamentarians are elected here to make the hard decisions and to take into consideration not only the views of the majority who prefer the status quo but also the views of the minority.