Gay Marriage and property rights

In a major development this week the Minister of Justice, Doug Graham, announced that de facto and same sex couples should have property rights - but not the same as married couples.

Mr Graham said that he would ask the cabinet to consider legislation to protect the property rights of both de facto and same-sex couples. Any change in legislation however will most likely occur after this years general election.

These changes have been prompted by a review of the Matrimonial Property Act, which covers married couples and determines that property should be split 50-50 upon separation.

Labour associate women's affairs spokeswoman Judith Tizard said the move was welcome but said that the Labour party would have preferred a more comprehensive review.

Ms Tizard went on to say that society could not have it both was by preventing gay and lesbian couples from marrying and also refusing them property rights protection.

Alliance Wellington Central candidate Danna Glendining said people should be able to marry whoever they wished.

Saturday's New Zealand Herald editorial was luke warm to the proposal suggesting that the state had no role to play in deciding the property rights of couples without children. It may no comment on the issue of whether same sex couples should be allowed to marry.

Southern TV bans Express Report

Southern Television has said it will not screen Express Report, the first gay and lesbian lifestyle programme, after concerns that it wouldn't be well received by viewers and it could jeopardise advertising revenue, general manager Bevan Rickerby said.

Dunedin Mayor, Sukhi Turner, said the reasons for canning the programme are wrong and she doesn't want the rest of New Zealand to think Dunedin is living in the past.

Mr Rickerby said he made the decision not to take the programme. It was based on "solicited and unsolicited comments" he had gained from the public that they did not want to watch it.

The programme is produced by Horizon Pacific Television, which owns the regional channels, and Express Newspaper.The programme will be shown on its regional channels in Auckland, Waikato-Bay of Plenty, Wellington and Christchurch.

The first programme is due to go on air on Monday February 5th at 10pm.

60,000 people expected for HERO Parade

Hero Festival organisers are expecting up to 60,000 people at the parade along Ponsonby Rd on February 17.

Organiser Julia Durkin says Ponsonby businesses are being asked to help create a party atmosphere on the day of the parade. She said "we'd like to see HERO day specials and rainbow bunting. You can dress Ponsonby Rd in a way you could never do with Queen St."

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