Here in New zealand our government has just passed a Civil Union Bill which has had alot of opposition but not enough to stop is being passed and made law:
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Civil Union Bill becomes law
09 December 2004
By PETER WILSON
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Legal recognition of same-sex partnerships became law today, and from April 26 next year couples can commit themselves to the new civil union.[/font]
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Parliament voted 65-55 to pass the controversial legislation which has polarised opinion and split political parties. [/font]
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During the past three days MPs opposed to it fought to change the Civil Union Bill and to force a referendum on it. [/font]
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They failed, and today the majority on the third reading was the same as it has been through most of the legislative process. [/font]
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The bill also applies to opposite-sex couples, but it does not change the Marriage Act which still applies only to men and women. [/font]
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After MPs cast their conscience votes and the final count was announced, the debating chamber was drowned in applause from the public galleries. [/font]
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MPs embraced, cheered and congratulated each other while Destiny Church leader Brian Tamaki and his followers glowered down. [/font]
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Outside Parliament rival rallies attracted about 400 people, with opponents slightly outnumbering supporters. [/font]
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While the bill's backers played music and threw orange balloons, opponents stood in silent protest. [/font]
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Conservation Minister Chris Carter, who is planning a civil union with his partner Peter Kaiser as soon as the law is implemented, told Parliament history was being created. [/font]
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"Today I sense tremendous joy and enthusiasm," he said during the third reading debate. [/font]
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"We will have an opportunity we have always been denied." [/font]
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The minister in charge of the bill, David Benson-Pope, said the legislation took nothing away from marriage. [/font]
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"Once this bill is passed, and the sky doesn't fall in, the opposition to it will very quickly evaporate," he said. [/font]
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"It gives the simplest of things - the formal recognition and respect by our laws for the individual choices of New Zealanders." {quote}[/font]