National has chosen to play politics with consent laws, objecting to Labour MP Camilla Belich’s attempt to introduce cross-party legislation that would make it clearer that consent is required before sex.
“Today I sought leave to table a cross-party Bill in the House to update New Zealand’s consent laws and National objected to it,” Labour Justice spokesperson Camilla Belich said.
"This Bill was developed by women MPs from across Parliament, working together through the Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians committee. It makes it clearer under the law that consent is necessary before sex every time, rather than assuming it has been given.
"Instead, National walked away from those discussions so it could make its own election announcement. Now it has blocked the very legislation that could have started the process of changing the law.
“That is a disgraceful choice. Survivors and victims of sexual violence don’t need political grandstanding, they need action.
"My member's Bill would be referred to the Justice Select Committee, where officials would have the opportunity to weigh in and refine the Bill as needed, but the Bill would arrive sooner than the Government’s vague promises to act only after the election.
“This Bill was always intended to be multipartisan, because this shouldn’t be a political issue.
"Progressing it wouldn’t stop the Government doing other things. If National can find time for move-on orders, it can find time to fix our consent laws," Camilla Belich said.
