Brash explains Civil Union vote 'flip-flop'

National Party leader Don Brash believes there is limited scope to criticise the Government over the civil union law because it was a conscience issue.

"On a conscience issue where a significant number of the party vote one way and a significant number voted the other, it doesn't lend itself to making it a highly political issue."

But he hinted yesterday that it would not be discounted closer to the election when National is expected to target what is perceived as the Government's politically correct agenda.

"A great many people, with some justification, feel that the Government has been preoccupied with social engineering at the cost of dealing with the issues that affect most people's lives and that is a view that is quite widespread and that's an issue we will certainly highlight."

Dr Brash was accused of "flip-flopping" over the Civil Union Bill by changing votes. Yesterday he clarified his positions.

"I voted for it on first reading on the grounds that I don't personally object to homosexual couples choosing to formalise their relationship in some way.

"I voted against it on the second reading on the grounds that this was quite a major change in civil society and it might well be desirable to have that sort of major issue decided by referendum rather than parliamentary vote."