Background
Young was born in Stratford, Taranaki.
Young was born in Stratford, Taranaki.
He attended primary school in Stratford, but received his high school education in Nelson, at Nelson College from 1942 to 1944.
He is known for his failed attempt to legalise "homosexual acts" in 1975. He then returned to Taranaki, becoming a dairy farmer. He gained some distinction as a rugby player, representing Taranaki.
In the 1966 election, Young stood as the National Party"s candidate for the Egmont electorate, and was successful.
He was to hold Egmont in the next three elections, gaining a straight majority each time. At the 1978 election, the Egmont electorate was abolished, and Young successfully contested the new Waitotara electorate.
He remained the Member of Parliament 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 conservatives, 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 24 abstentions.
Cabinet minister
Rob Muldoon, the new Prime Minister, appointed Young to the Lands, Forests, and Environment portfolios, which he held for two parliamentary terms from December 1975 to 1981.
In 1981, Young was moved to the Social Welfare portfolio, which he retained until National"s defeat in the 1984 election. Young retired from parliament at the 1990 election, although not before another homosexual law reform bill (promoted by Labour"s Fran Wilde), the Homosexual Law Reform Acting 1986, was successfully passed.
Young died in January 1993 after suffering a heart attack, and was buried in Hawera Cemetery. At the general election held on 8 November, Jonathan Young narrowly defeated incumbent Harry Duynhoven by 105 votes.
He was a member of the National Party, and served as a Cabinet Minister in the government of Rob Muldoon.