Civil Union law working well one year on

Civil Union law working well one year on says Campaign

26April 2006

The Campaign for Civil Unions says that, a yearafter it was introduced, the Civil Union law is workingwell.

While opponents of the legislation have labelled ita "waste of time", the Campaign for Civil Unions say theonly time that was wasted was their time spent fruitlesslyopposing the law, which provides a fair opportunity for allNew Zealanders to register their relationships.

"Justiceisn't a popularity contest. The ability of each of the 460couples who have registered a Civil Union to secure legalrecognition is of far greater personal significance to themthan it is to the law's opponents", said campaignspokesperson Michael Wallmannsberger.

The Campaign saysuptake of Civil Unions compares favourably with overseasexperience. New Zealanders have registered relationships ata rate of about 115 couples per million people in the firstyear of the legislation. This is well ahead of Denmark (84),Norway (35) and Sweden (37) after their first years andsecond only to the Netherlands, where uptake was 191 couplesper million people in the first year.

"We are particularlyheartened to see a balance of same-sex and heterosexualcouples taking up the Civil Union option", said MrWallmannsberger. "This suggests that New Zealand got itright making Civil Unions an option available to all NewZealanders".

The Campaign expects to see the uptake ofCivil Unions continue to grow.

"Civil Unions are aboutrecognising stable, long-term, committed relationships",said Mr Wallmannsberger. "It's quite obvious thatregistering a Civil Union isn't a decision you makeovernight. It may take a number of years to fully assess thepopularity of Civil Unions as a form or relationshiprecognition".

Meanwhile, the Campaign emphasises that lastyear's relationship law reform has automatically improvedthe legal recognition of de facto relationships, estimatedto cover about 300, 000 couples.

The Campaign welcomescalls for further work on a next of kin register in additionto the Civil Union and de facto provisions as recommended bythe Select Committee at the time of the Bill. However, theCivil Union Act is clearly working well and there is nocause to meddle withit.

ENDS

THIS ISSUE Lead NZ News NZ Politics World News FeaturesNew Zealand Politics

POLITICAL NEWSLETTERS: Molesworth & Featherston (Bonus Edition) April 20 Transtasman Political Letter -- 13 April Digest The Letter -- Monday, 24 April POLLS: TV3 News/TNS Opinion Poll March 2006

Employment: Mapp And Unions On Collision Course - New Zealand s largest trade union is putting National Party industrial relations spokesman Wayne Mapp on 90 days notice of mass industrial protest. "If in 90 days he hasn t scrapped his bill to let employers sack new employees for any reason, we will launch a massive public campaign against it," said EPMU national secretary Andrew Little. Mr Little said that the Dr Mapp s Employment Relations (Probationary Employment) Amendment Bill was a naked attack on workers employment rights. See... Workers put Mapp on 90-day warning ALSO:National - Union's strike threats are ridiculousUnited Future - Dunne slams EPMU's bully-boy tactics

Art/Defence: Military Life Captured In Oils - Captain Matt Gauldie, the New Zealand Army's official artist, hosted the launch of his inaugural exhibition. Scoop popped down to Captain Gauldie's opening and and took a few snaps. Titled 'New Zealand Army Art - images of courage, commitment, comradeship and integrity', the exhibition featured Captain Gauldie's works from his Unknown Warrior through to more recent works . See... Official Army Artist Launches Timely Exhibition ALSO: NZ Govt - Army Art Exhibition launch - PM Speech AND:Donna Sarten - Exhibition: Raw War

Solomons: NZ Army and Police off to Honiara - Two RNZAF aircraft will depart Whenuapai midmorning today, bound for Honiara. An RNZAF Boeing 757 will carry 30 New Zealand Police and travel via Christchurch, where it will uplift 25 infantry soldiers from Burnham Military Camp. An RNZAF Hercules C130 will travel via Fiji to assist in transporting additional Fijian Police personnel to Honiara. It is expected the first aircraft will land shortly after 5pm (New Zealand time) and remain on the ground for a short time only. See... Solomon Islands - NZDF Assistance Image: ANZAC Day 2004, Honiara ALSO:Audio - PM And RDU's Wammo Discuss The Solomons MFAT: Solomon Islands Travel Advice Massey University - Animosity in the Solomons to run its course

MORE POLITICAL HEADLINES: NZ Govt - Courts and Criminal Matters Bill Summary NZ Govt - New Zealand Lodges Seabed Boundary with UNNZ Govt - Legislation to target excessive salary sacrificeNZ Govt - Peters holds high level talks with EU in AustriaNZ Govt - Three-quarters of million for clean home heatingNZ Govt Deep regret at possible sale of Upham medals NZ Govt Her Majesty the Queen's 80th birthday on 21 April NZ Govt - Goff to US for Forum and trade, defence talksNational - Prisoners working less under LabourNational - National seeks to widen HNZ probeNational - Easter trading laws need updatingNational - Patients struck off second waiting listNational - Dog law will fail without council supportNational - Increase in beneficiaries claiming help for carsNational - Public have little confidence in tertiary sectorNational - NZ should take notice of party pill research National - $11 million for landscaping at prisons National - Complaint lodged over Treaty committeeGreen Party - Green going bushGreen Party - Public education the key to successful recycling Green Party - Clothing company tactics must be stoppedACT - DHBs Play "Fall Guys" For Clark And Hodgson

SCOOP WAS IN THE HOUSE:Questions And Answers - Thursday, 6 April 2006Questions And Answers - Wednesday, 5 April 2006Questions And Answers - Tuesday, 4 April 2006

POLITICAL COLUMNSMarc Alexander - Marc My Words: The 'nut-brigade' are at it againPansy Wong - Pansy Speak: Learning lessons from tragedyMurray McCully - www.mccully.co.nz 21 April 2006 Heather Roy - Heather Roy's Diary -- 21 April 2006Richard Worth - News Worthy - 21 April 2006Don Brash - Don Brash Writes - No. 75, 18 April 2006Judith Collins - Collins Comments - 10 April 2006 Bill English - Plain English - Thoughts from your MP for Clutha Wayne Mapp - The Mapp Report - 7 April 2006

FOR MORE POLITICS NEWS HEADLINES > CLICK HERE

• Shareholder Class Action Filed Against Pixelplus Co., Ltd. by the Law Firm of Schiffrin & Barroway, LLP
  26 April 2006



• Michigan Attorney General Cox Announces $1.5 Million Settlement With Wal-Mart Over Item Pricing Claims
  25 April 2006



• Notice to All Current and Former Kiewit Employees with Concentrated Positions In Level 3 Communications From the Securities Arbitration Law Firm of Kl
  23 April 2006



• Prepared Remarks of Attorney General Alberto R. Gonzales at the National Crime Victims' Rights Week Awards Ceremony
  23 April 2006



• Shareholder Class Action Filed Against Fairfax Financial Holdings Ltd. by the Law Firm of Schiffrin & Barroway, LLP
  23 April 2006



• Bail Bond Company Supports Law Day Gala
  23 April 2006



• Notice to All Merrill Lynch Customers from the Securities Arbitration Law Firm of Klayman & Toskes, P.A. -- OPWV, QKKAQ
  21 April 2006



• Soficap Acquisitions Inc. Retains U.S. Law Firm to File and Manage Listing to Have Its Shares Trade In The U.S.
  21 April 2006



• Michigan Attorney General Mike Cox Warns of Internet Dangers
  21 April 2006



• Notice to All Merrill Lynch Customers From the Securities Arbitration Law Firm of Klayman & Toskes, P.A. -- IAH, ICGE, HHH, IIH
  20 April 2006



• Warning Issued to Past and Current Shareholders of Pixelplus Co. Ltd. by the Rosen Law Firm P.A. -- PXPL
  20 April 2006



• Davies Ward Philips & Vineberg Law Firm and Its Partner William Brock Charged With Unethical Conduct as Part of Misrepresentation of Financial Transac
  20 April 2006



• Former US Attorney General John Ashcroft Joins D2C Solutions' Board of Advisors
  18 April 2006



• Top Law Firm Holland & Hart Selects NeoPath Networks for Tiered Storage Management and Transparent File Migration
  18 April 2006



• $140 Million Dollar Claim Filed Against Los Angeles County District Attorney for Admitting They Falsified Evidence in Records and Search Warrant
  18 April 2006