By 3 News online staff
Conservative Party leader Colin Craig says the gay marriage vote is "a failure of democracy".
Last night Parliament voted in favour of legalising same-sex marriage, passing the Marriage (Definition of Marriage) Amendment Bill with 77 votes to 44.
But Mr Craig, who is not a member of Parliament, says a referendum is needed to see if the New Zealand public really want this law.
"Last night was not a vote of the people of New Zealand," he says. "If it had been, the answer would have been no."
"It is a failure of democracy when those paid to represent the people end up making decisions the public oppose."
Mr Craig says the public's views need to be taken into account more often by Parliament.
"We have seen the public vote disregarded on law and order, on the number of MPs and on the Anti-Smacking Bill. Parliament's unwillingness to even put the marriage issue to the people sadly comes as no surprise."
He says having more public votes on issues is a key Conservative Party policy.
"The Conservative Party began on the foundation of binding referenda, and last night's decision only reinforces the need for us to enter Parliament."
And Mr Craig hopes the discussion on same-sex marriage is not over.
"The day of reckoning on the redefinition of marriage is still to come."
3 News
source: newshub archive
