The Independent Member for Denison, Andrew Wilkie, has spoken in support of a Greens’ motion to call on Australian MPs to start a national conversation about marriage equality.
Mr Wilkie, an outspoken supporter of same-sex marriage, tonight (Monday) seconded the Greens MP for Melbourne Adam Bandt’s marriage-equality motion in the House of Representatives.
He said it was not fair that the law was treating some lovers as second-class citizens simply because of the people they wanted to marry were the same sex.
“However for me this important issue is not just to do with same-sex marriage,’’ Mr Wilkie said.
“It’s about equality; that everyone, regardless of their gender, race, sexual preference or religion be treated the same under Australian law.’’
Mr Wilkie said the legislated discrimination in Australia’s marriage laws could be compared to other historic examples of discrimination in Australian history.
“If you were living in Australia a little more than 100 years ago and you were a woman, you could not vote,’’ he said.
“And it was less than 50 years ago that if you were a woman working in the public service in Australia , you also signed up for unemployment and had to hand in your notice.
“Fast forward to 2010, with a woman as Governor-General and another as our first female Prime Minister and these laws look archaic and unjust.
“A politician foolish enough to propose we ban women from voting, or demand that they quit work simply because they got married, would be derided and ridiculed as out of touch and sexist.
“Yet here we are in 2010, when two out of three Australians are in favour or marriage equality, discussing whether or not we should even canvass the issue of marriage equality.’’
TASMANIAN GAY AND LESBIAN RIGHTS GROUP
Media Release
Tuesday November 16th 2010
TAS NO LONGER MOST HOMOPHOBIC STATE
Tasmania is no longer Australia’s most homophobic state, but gay activists say the island still has a long way to go before discrimination is brought to an end.
According to a national Roy Morgan poll released yesterday, Queensland is now Australia’s most homophobic state, replacing Tasmania which scored worst of all the states in a similar poll conducted five years ago. The poll found attitudes have generally improved across the nation.
Tasmanian Gay and Lesbian Rights Group spokesperson, Rodney Croome, said attitudes in Tasmania have improved faster than in the other states, but the figures camouflage continued discrimination and abuse against gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (GLBT) people.
“We know from surveys within the GLBT community that discrimination in employment and education are still common and that Tasmanians are still verbally and physically abused because of their sexual orientation or gender identity”, Mr Croome said.
“One of the things that has transformed Tasmania is leadership from political figures and we need continued leadership to bring an end to discrimination.”
“In particular, we need to see better funding for essential support and education programs that are currently operating on a pittance.”
The North West electorate of Braddon, one of the most homophobic in Australia in the 2005 survey, has now slipped to 22nd place below the Launceston-based electorate of Bass in 12th position. The Hobart-based electorate of Denison is the 17th least homophobic.
Morgan research asked respondents if they believe homosexuality is immoral and if they support same-sex adoptions.
Tasmania was the last state to decriminalise homosexuality, but has since adopted some of the nation’s most progressive anti-discrimination and relationship laws.
For the electorate-by-electorate results of the Morgan survey visit,
For a news report on the survey visit
www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/queenslands-alarming-gay-phobia-20101115-17txg.html
AUSTRALIA MARRIAGE EQUALITY
Media Release
Tuesday November 16th 2010
LABOR’S SUPPORT FOR MARRIAGE EQUALITY MOTION WELCOMED
Marriage equality advocates have welcomed a decision by the Federal Labor Government to support a’ motion on same-sex marriage but are disappointed the Coalition will oppose it.
The motion, calling on MPs to gauge their constituent’s views on achieving marriage equality, has been put forward by newly-elected Greens MP, Adam Bandt.
Australian Marriage Equality National Convener, Alex Greenwich, said Labor’s move reflects the fact that a clear majority of Australians support reform.
“Labor clearly realises public opinion has changed and it is time to approach the issue with maturity and common sense”, Mr Greenwich said.
“It is deeply disappointing the Coalition has not reached the same point despite support for marriage equality from leading Liberals like Simon Birmingham, Warren Entsch and Mal Washer.”
AME’s Tim Wright, who is in Parliament House canvassing the views of MPs, said there is strong and growing support among MPs for marriage equality.
“We welcome debate on the motion because whenever this issue is discussed, support for reform inevitably increases”, Mr Wright said.
It is expected the motion will be debated and passed on Thursday, with the Government and most independents set to support it.
The motion tabled by Adam Bandt calls on “all parliamentarians, consistent with their duties as representatives, to gauge their constituents’ views on ways to achieve equal treatment for same sex couples including marriage”.
