Hobbs Marian: Civil Union Bill — Procedure Third Reading 
Hobbs Marian: Civil Union Bill — Procedure Third Reading 
[Volume:622;Page:17656] 
Hon MARIAN HOBBS (Minister for the Environment) 
: 
 May this Civil Union Bill be passed this afternoon. This bill gives people choice in the formal recognition of their relationship choice to the rainbow community who have had no choice up until this time and additional options to those couples who do not wish to be married. Rather than go through an expensive array of legal processes to gain the legal protections that a couple needs the civil union will provide another avenue. 
This bill affirms equality for all New Zealanders regardless of their sexual preferences and this sends a message of hope to adolescent gays and lesbians. For too long those young people have faced discrimination at a time when they so much want to be part of a group want to be accepted and want to dream of a future. Suicide is far too high among our gay and lesbian adolescents. I say to those who box for the charity for preventing youth suicide that they could well achieve as much by voting for this bill. 
Passing this legislation today says to gay and lesbian people that they are important that they are valued by society and that they are able to form loving relationships that are recognised by the State. Some have argued that the prime purpose of marriage and a loving relationship is to bear and rear children and that a civil union therefore should not be allowed. That argument ignores that marriage and civil union are different. For myself I would wish for a clearer distinction between church and State ceremonies as has been adopted in some European countries where a Catholic couple can have their relationship blessed by the sacrament of matrimony but where the State registration is the compulsory ceremony. But at least we in New Zealand will have I hope civil union. 
The argument about the prime purpose of marriage being children also ignores that marriage does not always result in children. Members should consider a marriage between two 70-year-olds. It is considered quite legitimate—and having children would defy all possibilities. It also ignores those relationships that are not marriage but which provide a loving stable environment for children. 
Some in this House have argued that civil union will weaken their marriage. I find that so strange. Strong relationships are worked on by those inside the relationship. Outside factors can put a stress on the relationship: war unemployment the death of a child and discrimination. But a law that grants human rights to others? How can that make any marriage weak? My puzzled reaction to that claim is mirrored by the hundreds of New Zealand Christians who have emailed me to say that their marriage is not at risk and that they feel the passage of this bill will add to the fabric of social justice necessary for the health of New Zealand. 
I hope that tonight will be celebratory. I hope that with the passage of this law there will be many celebrations formal and all of wonderful loving relationships. I hope that those who have felt threatened will come to see in the next few years that any imagined threat has not come to pass. Their marriages are safe and their kids are growing healthily—some of them may even be gay. I support this bill with my mind my spirit and my heart.