Flak over marriage law reform

Supporters of the institution of marriage were out in force yesterday when the justice and electoral select committee heard submissions in Auckland on matrimonial property law reform.

The Government is backing away from plans to leave the words "husband," "wife" and "marriage" out of the new legislation.

However, that did not stop the submission-makers, many of them Christian groups, from complaining that the proposed law changes would denigrate marriage while elevating the status of de facto relationships.

The legislation aims to give de facto and same-sex couples the same rights as married couples when relationships break down.

One submission said there ought to be legislation for those who married and another law to protect the rights of those who chose not to.