How they voted details
For media and others who are interested in a breakdown by the numbers, here they are:
- All MPs 80 – 40
- Electorate MPs 45 – 25
- List MPs 35 – 15 (1 non vote)
- Female MPs 32 – 7
- Male MPs 48 – 33 (1 non vote)
- Asian MPs 1-3 (1 non vote)
- European MPs 60 – 29
- Maori MPs 17 – 4
- Pacific MPs 2 – 4
- 20s MPs – 2-0
- 30s MPs 11 – 2
- 40s MPs 20 – 18
- 50s MPs 34 – 13 (1 non vote)
- 60s MPs 12 – 7
- 70s MPs 1-0
- Auckland MPs 29 – 12 (1 non vote)
- Christchurch MPs 11 – 2
- Provincial MPs 10 – 12
- Rural MPs 16 – 12
- Wellington MPs 14 – 2
- North Island MPs 58 – 32 (1 non vote)
- South Island MPs 22 – 8
- National MPs 30-29
- Labour MPs 30-3 (1 non vote)
- Green MPs 14-0
- NZ First MPs 0-8
- Maori Party MPs 3-0
- Mana, ACT, United all 1-0
- Cabinet Ministers 14-6
- All Ministers 20-8
- Gay MPs 3-1
- Lesbian MPs 3-0
- “Straight” MPs 74 – 39 (1 non vote)
- 1970s MPs 0-1
- 1980s MPs 7-1
- 1990s MPs 11-9
- 2002 MPs 5-1
- 2005 MPs 18 – 6
- 2008 MPs 22 – 11 (1 non vote)
- 2011 MPs 16 – 11
A few interesting facts stand out.
- Female MPs voted 4-1 in favour and Male MPs around 3-2 in favour
- MPs in their 40s more against than those in their 50s or 60s
- In the three main cities it was 54 – 16 in favour – more than 3:1
- Provincial MPs were overall against, but rural MPs were in favour
- 1 gay MP voted against (on grounds that the state should register unions, and churches, mosques etc confer marriage)
- MPs who entered in the 1990s were most against
Now let’s look at changes in votes over time
- John Bank and Lockwood Smith voted against decriminalising homosexual behaviour in 1986 but in 2012 voted in favour of same sex marriage. Winston Peters voted against in 1986 and in 2012. Peter Dunne, Phil Goff, Annette King, Trevor Mallard voted yes both times.
- MPs who voted against civil unions and for same sex marriage are Gerry Brownlee, David Carter, Judith Collins, Clayton Cosgrove, Peter Dunne, Paul Hutchison, John Key, Murray McCully, Lockwood Smith, Tariana Turia, Maurice Williamson
Wasn’t planning to comment in detail on the speeches, except to note as often with conscience issues it is Parliament at its finest – MPs speaking from the heart on what they believe. Hunua MP Paul Hutchison spoke of his issues and concerns but concluded saying:
Although I would have personally preferred a slower process regarding this legislation as I said earlier, I simply cannot construct an intellectual, moral, health, or spiritual argument against it—in fact the reverse is very much the case. I support it.
You could tell this was an issue he had grappled with, and spent a long time considering.
Anyway, vote over on this issue (for now). The vote/s on the alcohol purchase age will be at 5.30 pm tonight!