National conference votes for same sex adoption

A motion to extend adoption eligibility to couples in a civil union (hence same sex couples also) passed on the main floor of the National Party’s national annual conference yesterday by arounds a two thirds majority.

I’m massively pleased that the vast majority of the National Party grassroots membership who were at the conference voted for the remit. I think it shows how even over a relatively short period of five or six years, the views of the party have changed.

Huge congrats to the Young Nationals who put the remit up, spoke passionately in its favour, and did the hard yards lobbying delegates, arranging other speakers etc. It shows that youth wings can have a good impact on national politics – just as they did with the VSM legislation.

Now if a bill on the issue does get submitted and drawn out of the ballot, it will be a conscience vote for National MPs – as it should be. So the resolution of the conference is not binding. However I think it was be reasonably persuasive with some MPs in terms of demonstrating that there is majority support for such a move (as polls have shown also). It isn’t about saying there is no difference between different types of families – i is about saying that there shouldn’t be a legislative ban on certain types of families adopting – the law should be about making a decision which is in the best interest of the child.

The Young Nats managed to get this remit through both the Northern Regional Conference, and now the Annual Conference. They also managed to get passed a remit supporting a “pay protection” law, which would require unions to have their members pay them directly, rather than have it deducted out of pay packets along with PAYE.