Gay MP's role in bill questioned

By HELEN TUNNAH, deputy political editor

Gay Labour MP Tim Barnett may be ousted from a key role in overseeing the contentious Civil Union Bill which MPs vote on next week.

National and United Future say Mr Barnett has a clear conflict of interest after spearheading the advocacy within Parliament for the law to recognise same-sex relationships.

Mr Barnett chairs the justice and electoral select committee expected to hear hundreds of public submissions on the Civil Union Bill - including some which will promote gay marriage rather than civil unions - and a second bill which amends scores of other laws to recognise de facto and same-sex relationships.

National's deputy leader, Gerry Brownlee, and United Future leader Peter Dunne said yesterday that they had concerns about Mr Barnett heading the public hearings and the scrutiny of the legislation.

Mr Brownlee will raise the issue at Parliament's business committee next week.

Mr Dunne said Mr Barnett could stay on the committee but he would prefer he step aside as chairman.

"It would be wise. I think it is a conflict of interest situation. If you're seen to be actively involved in an issue, it's not normally good to be seen to be chairing the committee hearing it."

Deputy Prime Minister Michael Cullen told Parliament that it had not been decided which committee would review the bill.

The Herald yesterday obtained details of both bills.

They included one anomaly, retaining the age of parental consent to marriage for minors at 20, but 18 for civil unions.

New civil union celebrants will be able to conduct the ceremonies recognising the relationship.

People will be able to convert their marriage to a civil union, and vice-versa. Like marriages, civil unions will be able to be dissolved.

The second bill, the Relationships (Statutory References) Bill, amends many laws to ensure legal recognition for civil unions and de facto relationships.

The changes may even cost some gay or lesbian people money, because social security legislation will specifically recognise same-sex de facto and civil union relationships.

A partner's income will become relevant, and a person's entitlement will be assessed in line with married rather than single rates.

One estimate suggests that could reduce the costs to taxpayers of welfare by up to $15 million a year.

Issues such as citizenship, guardianship and adoption by gay people are not covered by the bills.

What will change

Civil union celebrants will be appointed to register the unions of couples, who for "whatever reason" do not want to marry.

Married couples will be able to switch to a civil union, and vice-versa.

Heterosexual and homosexual couples will be able to enter a civil union.

The age of parental consent for marriage and civil unions will be 18, down from 20 for marriage as it is now.

Sixteen and 17-year-olds will need a guardian's or court's consent to enter a civil union.

The second bill changes many other laws, giving de facto and same-sex couples the legal rights of married couples.

Examples Social security payments for same-sex relationships will be assessed at the couples rate.

A person in a de facto or civil union can now be buried in the same plot as a partner.

Parental leave can be transferred to a civil union partner.

Company directors will have to ask same-sex partners to disclose material interests.