NZ opposition slammed for gay stance
New Zealand's LGBTQI politicians have savaged the National party for its opposition to a government bill to ban conversion therapy.
Jacinda Ardern's government wants to ban conversion therapy - the pseudo-scientific processes that aim to change an individual's sexuality or gender orientation.
Following a similar path to Victoria, Queensland and the ACT, NZ introduced a law last week to ban the practice, which has been condemned as medical quackery.
All of New Zealand's parliamentary parties supported Labour's bill at the first reading - except the National party.
Judith Collins, leader of the centre-right opposition, says she "abhors" conversion therapy but has problems with the law's drafting.
In making her case, Ms Collins refers to "puberty blockers", a legitimate form of health care used by teens suffering from gender dysphoria.
Ms Collins suggests the law could penalise parents who seek to counsel their children.
"We would have liked to support (the bill). We can't do it while the government can't even answer the straight questions on whether or not parents are criminalised for providing advice to 12-year-olds not to take puberty blockers," she said.
"Look. I can remember being 12. I can remember some of the ideas I had then. I think it is really important that parents must be backed to be parents."
Greens rainbow issues spokeswoman Elizabeth Kerekere - an academic who specialises in LGBTQI identity and history - said the National leader "has been given poor information".
"Some (National MPs) have reached out to me to get advice which I'm really happy to give," she told AAP.
"Parents have the right to get good quality information to have heart to hearts about what's going on with them ... it allows for good quality counselling.
"(The bill) is about conversion practices that try to change someone from who they are. It doesn't say anything about health care."
The opposition's position has drawn much criticism, including from deputy prime minister Grant Robertson, who is gay.
"It's a pretty appalling form of politics. This is a really important bit of legislation to make sure our rainbow communities are safe," he told AAP.
"If there are concerns with specific matters and details they can be dealt with it at select committee.
"The only conclusion I can draw is there's some sort of political game being played and I don't think our young rainbow New Zealanders should be pawns in that game."
Conservation Minister Kiri Allan, who is queer, called the vote "horrific" and "harmful".
"It will have a huge impact on young people that are vulnerable ... young people identifying as Takatapui," she said, using the Maori word for non-heterosexuality.
National's caucus, which was decimated at last October's election when Ms Ardern's Labour party won a historic majority, has no openly LGBT MPs.
Progressive-minded National MPs, such as Chris Bishop, Erica Stanford and Louise Upston say they hope to pass the bill after the select committee stage.
