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Controversial legislation giving gay relationships a similar status to heterosexual marriages has been held up, the Government said today.
Speculation that political timing was behind delays in the Civil Unions Bill being debated was off the mark, a spokesman for Associate Justice Minister David Benson-Pope told NZPA.
Some commentators believed a fear of outraging conservative voters would lead to the Government putting the bill on hold after its recent poor polling.
A focus on the bill would add further distractions for a Government already under siege over the foreshore and seabed legislation in the run-up to the Budget on May 27.
The Government had planned to table the bill on May 13, but it has now been pushed back to the next session of Parliament.
Neither the Greens, who support the legislation, nor United Future, who oppose it, were yesterday aware of the timetable change.
"We'd hoped to have it in on that date but the fact of the matter is the timing has not been finalised," the spokesman said.
"That's partly due to the workload of the House, and partly due to tidying up the technical side of it."
An omnibus bill which accompanied the Civil Union Bill was a "massive undertaking".
"It really hasn't had a concrete date," the spokesman said.
The Civil Union Bill will create a new relationship status for same-sex and heterosexual couples by legalising and registering civil unions.
The omnibus bill amends up to 100 other laws that give rights only to state and church-sanctioned marriages.
Both bills would be necessary to give meaningful recognition to gay relationships.
The Government has indicated it will allow MPs a conscience vote on the legislation.
- NZPA
Civil union legislation delayed
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