United Future
Gordon Copeland

Copeland and Baldock to lead CIR on Prostitution Reform Act

“In these circumstances, it would be remiss of us not to initiate a referendum to permit New Zealanders to have their say on this important issue.”

The two MPs said they wished to make clear that they were leading the referendum as individual MPs, and that it was not a party position, but remained a conscience issue for United Future.

“But we continue to believe that the normalisation of prostitution is contrary to the best interests of New Zealand and its families.

“Prostitution is the antithesis of emancipation for women. 

“Many nations around the world are beginning to view prostitution as oppressive and humiliating because it is about men paying to use women as less than human beings.  Prostitution is also bad for men and when men are married (and some estimate that 50% of clients are married), then it is also a wrong against their families. 

“It constitutes a grave injustice towards the wife and the $100 or so paid to the prostitute is a theft against the entire family.  It is money which should rather be used to feed, clothe, educate and maintain the health of the children.”

Larry Baldock and Gordon Copeland are planning to involve churches, mosques, temples, plus other religious and community groups who opposed the Prostitution Bill, and to begin preparation with Parliament’s Clerk’s Office for the referendum in October. 

Signatures will be sought during 2004 with a view to the question of repeal being on the ballot paper in conjunction with the 2005 general election.