Good work, New Zealand!

[blamebrampton]

So, years ago, New Zealand introduced Civil Unions for everyone. And yesterday, they decided that GLBTI marriage should be legal and removed all the restrains on gender from its marriage laws.

It's easy to forget how progressive New Zealand is. They beat us all for giving women the vote, they had a treaty with their indigenous peoples and have mostly abided by it, and they are pretty damned good on carbon reduction, too.

As is so often in the Southern Hemisphere, it was the party you didn't expect who brought the reforms in. Howard the Great Conservative launched gun control in Australia, Hawke and Keating, the classic Labor unionists, brought about economic reforms that had all of the pros of Thatcherism, but without the cons. You will note that Australia's economy remains thriving!

Here it was the Conservatives who held the balance of power. The bill was introduced by Louisa Wall, a gay Labour party MP, and made it through 77-44 with serious support from the government.

Here in Australia, we can't even get a similar bill through with it being Australian Labor Party policy (they are the party allegedly in government here, but … look, I need to get over this broken thumb and new job exhaustion so that I can properly write up the lunacy …)

The lovely sly_girl linked to this masterpiece of a speech by Maurice Williamson. Everybody should be linking to it. He is my new favourite politician. The woman the camera cuts away to who is clearly filled with joy is Louisa Wall.

And HAPPY BIRTHDAY catsintheattic! I hope that everything for you is as good as Maurice Williamson! And may your cats shower you with purrs!

Comments

[quatrefoil.livejournal.com]

It's far more commonly the case that progressive reform happens under conservative (small c) governments - the reason being that if they put it up the liberals (small l) don't oppose it.

[quatrefoil.livejournal.com]

But yes, class act, NZ. And the singing of a Maori love song from the gallery was just beautiful.

[azurelunatic]

Yes!

The thing that particularly impressed me (being as I am from the US) that the singers were allowed to continue instead of being shushed and/or hustled out. And then the people on the floor joined in.

[mabonwitch.livejournal.com]

Yes! I teared up at the singing. What a beautiful response! That was definitely my "people are awesome" moment of the day.

[shocolate.livejournal.com]

I haven't done it, either!

He is madly awesome.

[excentric397.livejournal.com]

This vid is going on my blog. Thanks so much for posting this. A voice of reason with humor is much needed these days. My own country (USA) has idiots who blame gay rights for hurricanes, etc. It boggles the mind, the stupidity and gullibility of some. Still angry and very upset about Boston, so hoping I don't come across too over-the-top, but sheesh, humanity. Get a brain. Please.

[alienor77310.livejournal.com]

Awesome speech. Living in the UK, I have a slightly detached look at what's going on in France on the subject, and thank goodness, because it's bloody ugly. One representative this morning said that gay marriage was going to cause the assassination of babies.

[shu-shu-sleeps.livejournal.com]

Yes he is good, he is very very good! Nice balance too between exposing the ridiculous and acknowledging the concerns of his electorate re their worries about flow on consequences. This is a wonderful example of what a good politician is.... And love the "big gay rainbow" over his electorate" reference:) well done New Zealand!

[sinden.livejournal.com]

That is an AWESOME speech. Sir, you and your entire country, I salute you.

[valkyrie17.livejournal.com]

What a brilliant man. Thank you so much for sharing this:)

[mrsquizzical.livejournal.com]

wonderful!

australia is so behind. :(

[lokifan]

Oh, that's great! So funny and human-faith-affirming :)

[zeitgeistic.livejournal.com]

New Zealand is a superb place! I am always impressed by their thinking/acting.

[thenotoriousso4.livejournal.com]

Oh... he is oh so lovely!

I wish I understood more about Australian/New Zealand politics to know the differences in the parties and whatnot, but regardless of what he stands for that was a wonderful speech and I really wish more American politicians could think like him.