New Zealand's first Muslim MP, Ashraf Choudhary, has again opted out of voting on a conscience issue.
MPs yesterday passed the first reading of the controversial Civil Union Bill by 66-50, with three Labour MPs abstaining -- Mr Choudhary, Winnie Laban and Janet Mackey.
It is the second major vote Mr Choudharyhas abstained on; last year his decision not to vote on the Prostitution Reform Bill meant it passed 60-59.
National MP Judith Collins said Mr Choudhary should resign if he could not make a decision.
"It seems that on these difficult conscience issues, Mr Choudhary has no conscience," she said.
"The Muslim community will undoubtedly have questions about his decision and taxpayers deserve to know why they continue to pay this man's salary if he is unable to form an opinion on anything important."
Ms Laban and Ms Mackey were out of the country when the vote was taken.
A Muslim man, who did not want to be named, told NZPA Dr Choudhary did not represent the Muslim community as a result of his abstentions.
Dr Choudhary was a list MP who had not been voted in by the Muslim community, and his recent actions meant he would not have their support.
"Not with his actions that we see here. Definitely not," the man said.
"I don't feel that he's representing me."
Muslims, who had the same stance on marriage as Christians, opposed the Civil Union Bill.
"It's not on. Marriage is between a male and a female, so we echo the sentiments of the Christian community 100 per cent on this," the man said.
