SAME-SEX MARRIAGE LEGISLATION

The Hon. S.W. KEY (Ashford) (12:54): I move:

That this house—

(a) notes the passing of the New Zealand Labour Party's Louise Wall's private member's bill, the Marriage (Definition of Marriage) Amendment Bill, that will take effect on 19 August 2013; and

(b) congratulates the New Zealand House of Representatives' members across seven parties—Labour, Nationals, Greens, Maori, ACT, Mana and United Future—for working together to enact legislation that ensures that same sex adult couples have the right to marry.

Last year, I had the opportunity to visit Wellington in New Zealand to discuss my sex work reform bill—of course, New Zealand decriminalised sex work in 2003 and, I might say, the end of the world has not come, so that is quite heartening—and also to discuss their campaign in regard to equal marriage.

Since moving this motion in the house, I note that France has also decided to change their marriage provisions so they are able to support adult same-sex couples getting married. Last night, I noticed a report in the media—The Telegraph in the UK—that Brazil has become the third and largest Latin American country to give a de facto (interesting word) green light to the same-sex marriage issue, and that is through the National Council of Justice, which oversees Brazil's legal system and is headed by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. One of the comments he has made is that he thinks government officers who issue marriage licences have no reason to reject gay couples in issuing those licences.

It is also interesting to note the debate that is going on in the UK. There have been some questions raised about why the Queen, in the opening of parliament recently, did not mention the same-sex couple legislation but did mention a whole lot of other areas.

I understand that she has also given a public speech indicating her support for equal opportunity and also equal opportunity for people whatever their sexuality and sexual orientation. So, it seems as though all around the world people are starting to understand that this does not need to be a move that we should be frightened of.

We know that same-sex marriages are legal in a number of countries, including the Netherlands, Belgium, Spain, Canada, South Africa and Uruguay and, on the home front, Premier Weatherill has indicated his support for equal marriage. I understand that the Leader of the Opposition (member for Norwood, Steven Marshall) has indicated his own personal support for same-sex marriage, and leaders such as Premier Barry O'Farrell in New South Wales and Colin Barnett in Western Australia have voiced their support for same-sex marriage, so it seems as though there is an understanding even in Australia that maybe this is something we need to look at.

Unfortunately, when I went to New Zealand I did not get the opportunity to meet Louise Wall, the Labour member for Manurewa, because she had some pressing constituent issues she had to attend to immediately, as we would all understand.

Although I did not get the opportunity to meet her, I was impressed by the background work she had done. It was very obvious in the parliament that she had done a lot of cross-party work and managed in the end to get a majority of members in the parliament to support this legislation, but also on that list was the conservative Prime Minister, the Right Honourable John Key—not only does he have a very good name but obviously has very good politics in some areas.

When you look at Ms Wall's biography, it is easy to see what an accomplished and determined woman she must be. She has held a number of positions in her working life, from principal adviser in the Children's Commission to a program manager in funding and planning in the Manukau area, and she is also a champion rugby player. Ms Wall obviously has a number of accomplishments, other than having the good taste to join the New Zealand Labour Party. I seek leave to continue my remarks.

Leave granted; debate adjourned.

[Sitting suspended from 12:59 to 14:00]