Connell Brian: Civil Union Bill — First Reading 
Connell Brian: Civil Union Bill — First Reading 
[Volume:618;Page:13929] 
BRIAN CONNELL (National—Rakaia) 
: 
 This is not a civil union; this is a civil disgrace. I could not think of anything that would have done more harm to New Zealand society than legalising prostitution but if this Civil Union Bill is passed it will have that distinction. This bill will tear the social and moral fabric of New Zealand society asunder. Let us be clear: this bill is a calculated and carefully promoted strategy to undermine the role of marriage and families as the cornerstone of New Zealand society. It is being promoted by a few powerful Government politicians who are abusing society’s trust in them. Let us be absolutely clear: this bill is being promoted by the Government. Those members are abusing their position by foisting their type of morality on to the many. 
I want topick up on a point raised by Mr Brownlee about conscience votes. I do not believe that the Labour caucus truly will have a conscience vote on this issue. What happened with the Prostitution Reform Bill tells us otherwise. Labour colleagues confided in me—[ 
Interruption 
] 
Mr SPEAKER 
: I am sorry Mr Connell; this will not come off your time. This is an important debate and a conscience debate. This is the sort of debate I want to hear without interjection. I do not think any is necessary. I want Mr Connell to be heard. 
BRIAN CONNELL 
: Some Labour colleagues confided in me that they had been intimidated into voting for the Prostitution Reform Bill by none other than the Prime Minister with the words: “If you don’t vote for this you’re not going to go any further.” So why would we think that is not happening now? In any other institution that would have been called harassment and the full force of the law would have been brought to bear on the perpetrator. 
I believe that it is probably happening again. I believe there are back-bench Labour caucus members—and probably some others—who will have the courage to stand up for their convictions but others will vote for this bill simply because they feel intimidated. As for those who feel like sitting on the fence—like Professor Choudhary did the last time such an important issue was before the House—I am reminded of this quote: “All that is required for evil to prevail is for good men to do nothing.” 
What has ever happened to New Zealand society to allow this type of social re-engineering to prevail? This politically correct nonsense that preaches that homosexual and lesbian relationships are the equal to marriage and are a satisfactory environment in which to raise kids is an absolute disgrace. Worse it is a disgrace that a Government in New Zealand would bring this bill forward. I for one will not stand for that and I am asking colleagues in the House to have the courage to stand with me and vote against this bill. We need strong people who are prepared to rail against this type of nonsense. It will erode the values that New Zealand holds dear to its heart. 
What this bill is doing is casualise relationships. This trend has been happening in this country for 30 years and we can see the damage it has done to families. I ask members of the House to put self-interest aside and answer this question: is this really the type of society we want? Is this really the type of society we want for our kids? I believe that the answer is no. I am not suggesting that marriage is perfect but as Winston Churchill simply responded when asked whether there was a better system than democracy: “It’s not perfect but I can’t think of a better one.” I cannot think of a better institution than marriage. I cannot think of a better role model for our young kids than to see mum and dad with two or three kids as the cornerstone of our society. 
I again ask members in this House to put self-interest aside and stand up and be counted on what is probably the most critical issue they will decide in their term in this Parliament.