Last-minute Civil Union Bill changes rejected

The Civil Union Bill is expected to be passed today, after hours of voting down proposed changes and amid demonstrations of protest and support outside Parliament.

Unless there are more surprises, the bill is expected to gain between 64-66 votes, depending on how New Zealand First MPs Brian Donnelly and Ron Mark finally vote.

Mr Donnelly is almost certain to vote for the bill which will enable de facto and same-sex couples to register a civil union.

Last night MPs voted 68-51 to defeat a New Zealand First amendment that would have meant the bill could not be enacted unless it gained majority support at a referendum held at the same time as the next general election.

More than 70 National Party amendments, which would have completely re-written the bill, were all voted down with strong majorities.

The bulk related to National MP Richard Worth's proposal to enable any two people to form a civil relationship, such as two sisters who wanted greater legal protection, but to prevent a "marriage-like" solemnisation ceremony.

A handful of National MPs opposing the bill did not support Mr Worth's amendments, with deputy leader Gerry Brownlee angering Mr Worth by saying his supplementary order paper was based on "a very strange concept".

Mr Worth said it was obvious Labour and the Greens were inappropriately "directing" their MPs to vote on a conscience vote.

Other MPs asked why the five Labour MPs who voted against the bill did not back a referendum. With the two NZ First MPs, they could have forced the Government to subject the bill to a referendum.

Labour MP Clayton Cosgrove, voting against the bill, rejected that, saying he believed it should be determined by MPs, not referendum.

Associate Justice Minister David Benson-Pope went further.

"As I understand it, Dr Brash has admitted there may well be gay members in his caucus ... I think there are a number of people who might have made different decisions if he hadn't made a decision [to vote against the bill] on the basis of politics rather than his principles."

Asked if he was outing National MPs, he denied it. "But there are a number of people who, according to their conscience, should be supporting this measure, end of conversation," he said.

A spokesman for Dr Brash said the leader had actually said: "I don't think there's any evidence that gays in the National Party caucus have been afraid to express their sexuality. I don't think there are any. But I could be wrong."

The bill passed its committee stage and was reported without amendment. It was set down for its third reading.