Venn Young
Encyclopedia
Venn Spearman Young was a New Zealand
politician. He was a member of the National Party
, and served as a Cabinet
Minister in the government of Robert Muldoon
. He is known for his failed attempt to legalise "homosexual
acts" in 1975.
, Taranaki. He attended primary school in Stratford, but received his high school education in Nelson
, at Nelson College
. He then returned to Taranaki, becoming a dairy farmer. He gained some distinction as a rugby
player, representing Taranaki. He was also active in the Anglican Church.
, Young stood as the National Party's candidate for the Egmont
seat, and was successful. He was to hold Egmont in the next three elections, gaining a straight majority each time. At the 1978 elections
, the Egmont seat was dissolved, and Young successfully contested the new Waitotara
electorate. He remained the MP for Waitotara until his departure from politics.
, including many of his National Party colleagues. On 4 July 1975, the bill was defeated, with 34 votes against and 29 votes in favour. There were 23 abstentions.
. Robert Muldoon
, the new Prime Minister
, appointed Young to the Lands, Forests, and Environment portfolio, which he held for two parliamentary terms. In 1981, Young was moved to the Social Welfare portfolio, which he retained until National's defeat in the 1984 elections
.
, although not before another homosexual law reform bill (promoted by Labour
's Fran Wilde
), the Homosexual Law Reform Act 1986, was successfully passed.
Young died in February 1993 after suffering a heart attack. He was survived by his wife and nine children.
In July 2008 it was announced that his son, Jonathan Young
would be seeking the National Party's
nomination for the seat of New Plymouth
. At the general election
held on 8 November, Jonathan narrowly defeated incumbent Harry Duynhoven
by 105 votes.
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
politician. He was a member of the National Party
New Zealand National Party
The New Zealand National Party is the largest party in the New Zealand House of Representatives and in November 2008 formed a minority government with support from three minor parties.-Policies:...
, and served as a Cabinet
New Zealand Cabinet
The Cabinet of New Zealand functions as the policy and decision-making body of the executive branch within the New Zealand government system...
Minister in the government of Robert Muldoon
Robert Muldoon
Sir Robert David "Rob" Muldoon, GCMG, CH served as the 31st Prime Minister of New Zealand from 1975 to 1984, as leader of the governing National Party. Muldoon had been a prominent member of the National party and MP for the Tamaki electorate for some years prior to becoming leader of the party...
. He is known for his failed attempt to legalise "homosexual
Homosexuality
Homosexuality is romantic or sexual attraction or behavior between members of the same sex or gender. As a sexual orientation, homosexuality refers to "an enduring pattern of or disposition to experience sexual, affectional, or romantic attractions" primarily or exclusively to people of the same...
acts" in 1975.
Early life
Young was born in StratfordStratford, New Zealand
Stratford is the only town in the central Taranaki district of Stratford District, New Zealand. It lies beneath the eastern slopes of Mount Taranaki/Egmont, approximately half-way between New Plymouth and Hawera, near the geographic centre of the Taranaki region. The town has a population of...
, Taranaki. He attended primary school in Stratford, but received his high school education in Nelson
Nelson, New Zealand
Nelson is a city on the eastern shores of Tasman Bay, and is the economic and cultural centre of the Nelson-Tasman region. Established in 1841, it is the second oldest settled city in New Zealand and the oldest in the South Island....
, at Nelson College
Nelson College
Nelson College is a boys-only state secondary school in Nelson, New Zealand. It teaches from years 9 to 13. In addition, it runs a private Preparatory School for year 7 and 8 boys...
. He then returned to Taranaki, becoming a dairy farmer. He gained some distinction as a rugby
Rugby football
Rugby football is a style of football named after Rugby School in the United Kingdom. It is seen most prominently in two current sports, rugby league and rugby union.-History:...
player, representing Taranaki. He was also active in the Anglican Church.
Member of Parliament
In the 1966 electionsNew Zealand general election, 1966
The 1966 New Zealand general election was a nationwide vote to determine the shape of the New Zealand Parliament's 35th term. It saw the governing National Party win a third consecutive term in office...
, Young stood as the National Party's candidate for the Egmont
Egmont (New Zealand electorate)
Egmont is a former New Zealand electorate, in south Taranaki. It existed from 1871 to 1978.-Geographic coverage:Egmont is the old name of the mountain that is the Taranaki landmark of Mount Taranaki. A village north of the mountain is also called Egmont....
seat, and was successful. He was to hold Egmont in the next three elections, gaining a straight majority each time. At the 1978 elections
New Zealand general election, 1978
The 1978 New Zealand general election was a nationwide vote to elect the 39th New Zealand Parliament. It saw the governing National Party, led by Robert Muldoon, retain office, although the opposition Labour Party managed to win the largest share of the vote...
, the Egmont seat was dissolved, and Young successfully contested the new Waitotara
Waitotara (New Zealand electorate)
Waitotara is a former New Zealand Parliamentary electorate, in South Taranaki.-Population Centres:The electorate is rural, in South Taranaki. It is based on the town of Waitotara, and is north of the city of Wanganui.-History:...
electorate. He remained the MP for Waitotara until his departure from politics.
Private members' Bill
In mid 1974, Young attracted considerable controversy by putting forward a private members' bill to legalise private "homosexual acts" between consenting adults. The proposed age of consent was twenty-one, and although this was later reduced to twenty by a select committee, a number of homosexual lobbyists criticised it on this count. By far the most vocal criticism, however, came from conservativesConservatism
Conservatism is a political and social philosophy that promotes the maintenance of traditional institutions and supports, at the most, minimal and gradual change in society. Some conservatives seek to preserve things as they are, emphasizing stability and continuity, while others oppose modernism...
, including many of his National Party colleagues. On 4 July 1975, the bill was defeated, with 34 votes against and 29 votes in favour. There were 23 abstentions.
Cabinet minister
Despite having alienated many of his party colleagues, Young entered Cabinet when National won the 1975 electionsNew Zealand general election, 1975
The 1975 New Zealand general election was held to elect MPs to the 38th session of the New Zealand Parliament. It was the first election in New Zealand where 18-20 year olds and all permanent residents of New Zealand were eligible to vote, although only citizens were able to be...
. Robert Muldoon
Robert Muldoon
Sir Robert David "Rob" Muldoon, GCMG, CH served as the 31st Prime Minister of New Zealand from 1975 to 1984, as leader of the governing National Party. Muldoon had been a prominent member of the National party and MP for the Tamaki electorate for some years prior to becoming leader of the party...
, the new Prime Minister
Prime Minister of New Zealand
The Prime Minister of New Zealand is New Zealand's head of government consequent on being the leader of the party or coalition with majority support in the Parliament of New Zealand...
, appointed Young to the Lands, Forests, and Environment portfolio, which he held for two parliamentary terms. In 1981, Young was moved to the Social Welfare portfolio, which he retained until National's defeat in the 1984 elections
New Zealand general election, 1984
The 1984 New Zealand general election was a nationwide vote to determine the shape of the 41st New Zealand Parliament. It marked the beginning of the Fourth Labour Government, with David Lange's Labour Party defeating long-serving Prime Minister Robert Muldoon of the National Party. It was also the...
.
Retirement
Young retired from parliament at the 1990 electionNew Zealand general election, 1990
The 1990 New Zealand general election was held on 27 October to determine the composition of the 43rd New Zealand parliament. The governing Labour Party was defeated, ending its controversial two terms in office...
, although not before another homosexual law reform bill (promoted by Labour
New Zealand Labour Party
The New Zealand Labour Party is a New Zealand political party. It describes itself as centre-left and socially progressive and has been one of the two primary parties of New Zealand politics since 1935....
's Fran Wilde
Fran Wilde
The Honorable Fran Wilde QSO , is a New Zealand politician, and former Wellington Labour MP, Minister of Tourism and 31st Mayor of Wellington...
), the Homosexual Law Reform Act 1986, was successfully passed.
Young died in February 1993 after suffering a heart attack. He was survived by his wife and nine children.
In July 2008 it was announced that his son, Jonathan Young
Jonathan Young (New Zealand)
Jonathan Young is a National Party Member of the New Zealand House of Representatives for New Plymouth. He was first elected in the 2008 general election, with the country's smallest election night majority.-Early years:...
would be seeking the National Party's
New Zealand National Party
The New Zealand National Party is the largest party in the New Zealand House of Representatives and in November 2008 formed a minority government with support from three minor parties.-Policies:...
nomination for the seat of New Plymouth
New Plymouth
New Plymouth is the major city of the Taranaki Region on the west coast of the North Island of New Zealand. It is named after Plymouth, Devon, England, from where the first English settlers migrated....
. At the general election
New Zealand general election, 2008
The 2008 New Zealand general election was held on 8 November 2008 to determine the composition of the 49th New Zealand parliament. The conservative National Party, headed by its Parliamentary leader John Key, won a plurality of votes and seats, ending 9 years of government dominated by the social...
held on 8 November, Jonathan narrowly defeated incumbent Harry Duynhoven
Harry Duynhoven
Harry James Duynhoven is a New Zealand politician. He is the current mayor of the city of New Plymouth and surrounding districts. He assumed office in October 2010. He was a Member of Parliament for the Labour Party.-Early life:...
by 105 votes.