McNair Craig: Civil Union Bill — Instruction to Committee In Committee 
McNair Craig: Civil Union Bill — Instruction to Committee In Committee 
[Volume:622;Page:17457] 
CRAIG McNAIR (NZ First) 
: 
 I am glad to speak in this debate although the bill is very disturbing in many ways. The way in which the process has taken place and the rush and haste in which this legislation is being rammed through are a diabolical disgrace. They are an outrage to this Parliament and this nation—and those members know it. They constantly say that it has been a good process and so on but I ask why it has been one of the quickest—or the quickest—process in our parliamentary history? It is an absolute outrage and I believe that a lot of people in this country say that as well. 
If this Government is so sure that the people of New Zealand want this legislation it should put it to a referendum. If Government members are so sure they are representing the people of this nation they should put the legislation to a referendum and let the people have their say. This Government should stop being a minority Government and start to be a Government of the people. But the Government has no desire to do that because I think it knows that it would lose a referendum. [ 
Interruption 
] 
If Moana Mackey is so sure why does she not support an amendment proposing a referendum. If she is so sure that the people of New Zealand would support this liberal legislation she would let the people of Gisborne whom she wants to represent in the future have their say through a referendum. 
One can look at the liberal State of Oregon in the United States. I pinpoint Oregon because it is supposed to be like New Zealand in many ways. It is not like the conservative southern states of the US; it is a more liberal state on the west coast. I use Oregon as an example because prior to a referendum in the United States on widening the definition of marriage and allowing same-sex couples to marry there was a lot of coverage of different politicians activists and so on by the media about how Oregon would vote affirmatively in that referendum. By watching the media and by hearing everybody talking about that referendum one would have thought that that would happen. But Oregon was one of the 11 States that voted against it. Even Oregon one of the most liberal States which is supposed to be more like our society in New Zealand voted the referendum down. If members in this Parliament are so confident that this legislation is for the people they should put it to the people. 
Dail Jones 
: What’s New Zealand First’s view on that? 
CRAIG McNAIR 
: New Zealand First’s view has always been to put this kind of legislation to a referendum and to let the people decide. That is what we are saying. That is what I am saying to Moana Mackey who thinks she has the people on her side. If she is so sure she should put it to the people. That is what we say; that is what New Zealand First says: we should put it to the people. New Zealand First is a party that represents the people not a party that represents minorities. We are proud of that. We ask members to support our amendment to allow this legislation to go to a referendum. 
What is established and recognised by law becomes official obviously. We all know that. This Government has already officially allowed and recognised practices that the average New Zealander out there I believe thinks are abhorrent like the Prostitution Law Reform Bill championed by Tim Barnett the member from Christchurch Central and like women being fathers fathers being mothers and all that unbelievable rubbish the Government has been pushing through Parliament. 
This Government I believe has effectively declared itself the godless Labour Party. When there is a party vote I think we should call Labour the “Godless Labour Party” instead of the New Zealand Labour Party. That is what I think the Labour Party should be called. It should change its name and say it as it is.