Labour MPs should support Civil Union Bill says Carter

5.00pm

Labour MPs who vote against the Civil Union Bill will be reneging on a party pledge, Conservation Minister Chris Carter said today.

The bill will allow civil unions, which critics say is marriage by another name and will therefore allow gay marriages. Running alongside it is the Relationships (Statutory References) Bill that removes discrimination based on marital status.

It is a conscience issue for MPs, with some political parties split on the issue. Other parties are presenting a unified front -- all United Future MPs are expected to vote against the bill and all Greens in favour.

Mr Carter, who plans a civil union with his partner of 31 years, Peter Kaiser, as soon as the bill passes, said he expected all of his Labour Party colleagues to support it.

"Its been in our policy since 1999 and, in fact, in our pledge card when we join the Labour Party we guarantee that we will not discriminate against people on race, religion or sexual orientation," Mr Carter said.

"So, quite frankly, I find it difficult to understand how any Labour member couldn't support that."

Mr Carter was aware some Labour MPs had said they would not support it and said he would lobby them in the next few days.

However, the "overwhelming majority" already supported it, he said.

One who will support it is Prime Minister Helen Clark, who yesterday said she would have opted for a civil union if it had been available when she got married.

"Because that would appeal to me more but that's a matter of personal choice," she said.

Mr Carter did not believe the bill still discriminated against gay couples because it did not allow for marriage, and said people had to be pragmatic.

"We're having enough struggle with this Parliament to pass a civil union," he said.

"I think that this Parliament is not ready yet for marriage (for gay couples)."

The bill will be debated in Parliament for the first time on Thursday and Helen Clark expected it to pass its first vote.

If that is the case, the bill will be sent to a committee of MPs for scrutiny.

Under the new legislation, heterosexual and same-sex couples will be able to enter a civil union if they are at least 18 years old, or aged 16 or 17 with the consent of their guardians or Family Court.

A licence must be obtained if the civil union is to be performed by a civil union celebrant, who is appointed by the registrar-general. Marriage celebrants will be able to apply to also become civil union celebrants.

A civil union ceremony must be performed before two witnesses.

Civil unions will be registered under the Births, Deaths and Marriages Registration Act, and will be able to be dissolved under the Family Proceedings Act.

The Government hopes to have the bill passed this parliamentary term.

- NZPA