The House of Assembly will vote this week on a Greens motion that would see the Tasmanian Parliament become the first in Australia to express in-principle support for marriage equality.
Greens Leader Nick McKim will introduce the Notice of Motion, which will also call on the Federal Parliament to amend the Commonwealth Marriage Act to deliver marriage equality, on Tuesday.
Debate and a vote are expected on Wednesday.
“If this motion is passed, it will be a historic milestone for marriage equality in Australia,” Mr McKim said.
“Tasmania could lead the way from being the last Australian state to decriminalise homosexuality to the first to endorse marriage equality, with all the social and economic benefits that would follow.”
“The Greens believe the law needs to be changed to make same sex marriage legal, and it’s clear from the polls that most Australians agree.”
“While the Greens’ motion would not legalise same sex marriage in Tasmania, it would send a strong signal to Federal Parliamentarians that they must get in step with community opinion on this issue.”
“If we want to send a message that sexuality-based discrimination in our community is unacceptable, we need to remove the discrimination that remains entrenched in our laws.”
“Marriage equality is something the majority of Tasmanians and Australians support. The passage of our motion this week would send a strong message that politicians are catching up to community opinion.”
“The Greens have already tabled a package of cognate Bills in Parliament, and we will bring them on for debate should the Federal Parliament fail to act by the end of the year.”
“It is clear from the legal advice of leading Australian constitutional law expert Professor George Williams that Tasmania can legislate on marriage equality. If the Federal Parliament fails to end this discrimination, Tasmania has the constitutional capacity to go it alone.”
• POLL SHOWS MAJORITY SUPPORT FOR MARRIAGE EQUALITY
Liberals Should Follow UK Conservatives’ Lead on Gay Marriage
Nick McKim MP
Greens Leader
The Tasmanian Greens and Australian Marriage Equality have released polling data confirming that the majority of Tasmanians support legalised same sex marriage, contrary to statements by the Liberal Party.
The previously unreleased ERMS poll was conducted in February this year and shows:
• 59% of Tasmanians surveyed believed same-sex couples should be allowed to legally marry.
• 35% were opposed to marriage equality.
• 6% were unsure
Greens Leader Nick McKim MP said the polling shows that the level of support for marriage equality in Tasmania is similar to the national average.
“This should dispel any suggestion that Tasmania is somehow behind the times or not ready for change on the issue of marriage equality,” Mr McKim said.
“Most Tasmanians recognise now is the right time for marriage equality in a progressive country like Australia and that there is never a right time for discrimination, despite what the Liberal Party seems to be suggesting.”
“Marriage equality is something the majority of Tasmanians support, which is why I’m disappointed that the Liberal Party has already ruled out supporting the Greens’ motion in the House of Assembly this week.”
“For the Liberals to reject this motion before even seeing the text is just playing politics, and it is an insult to those in the community who want to see change.”
“I find it strange that a conservative like Will Hodgman would continue to advocate for laws that unnecessarily infringe on people’s private lives.”
“It would appear Mr Hodgman isn’t the forward-looking conservative he is trying to style himself as but just an old-style reactionary who’s proud to be behind the times and keep discrimination intact.”
“I suggest that Mr Hodgman take a leaf out of the same book as his British conservative counterpart, Prime Minister David Cameron, who recently announced he would take action to end legally-entrenched marriage inequality in the UK.”
“Our motion in the House of Assembly this week will hopefully see the Tasmanian Parliament become the first in Australia to express in-principle support for marriage equality.”
“If it passes it will send a strong signal to federal politicians that Tasmania is ready for change.”
“I encourage our MPs to be part of history in the making and show Tasmania as the forward-looking state it is.”
• Rodney Croome, TGLRG: Tasmania says ‘Yes’ to marriage equality
A majority of Tasmanians believe same-sex couples should be able to marry according to a poll released today.
The statewide poll by ERMS research found that 65% of Tasmanians do not oppose marriage equality with 59% saying they support it 6% unsure and only 35% against.
Tasmanian Gay and Lesbian Rights Group spokesperson, Rodney Croome, said the poll increases pressure on Labor and Liberal MPs to support a motion in favour of marriage equality to be tabled by Greens Leader, Nick McKim, tomorrow.
“Most Tasmanians understand that this issue isn’t about moral judgements or religious concerns but about love, commitment and family which are values all Tasmanians share and want to see affirmed”, Mr Croome said.
“Our politicians talk a lot about ‘family values’, and here’s a chance for them to show the concept embraces same-sex couples and our children rather than excluding us or being threatened by us.”
“Now it’s clear that Tasmanians say ‘yes’ to marriage equality it’s time for our state politicians to do the same.”
Alex Greenwich, National Convener of Australian Marriage Equality which commissioned the poll together with the Tasmanian Greens said,
“If the motion is successful it will send a powerful message to the federal government and to the ALP National Conference in December that it is time to move forward on this issue.”
“I hope it will also encourage other states to follow Tasmania’s lead and represent what we know is majority community support for marriage equality across the nation with similar motions.”
Mr Greenwich and Mr Croome both said they support the Greens’ motion and do not consider it “a backdown” from the Greens’ position of introducing state same-sex marriage legislation.
“Nick McKim has given assurances that he will re-introduce his state same-sex marriage laws if the Federal Government doesn’t act, Mr Croome said.
“We consider this an addition to the Greens’ attempt to enact state laws, not a substitute.”
Mr Greenwich will be in Hobart tomorrow and Wednesday to speak to Tasmanian decision-makers about marriage equality, including the positive economic impact of the reform both locally and nationally.
Details of the poll come the same day as advocates have announced supporters from around Australia will descend on Canberra on the 12th of October to meet with MPs (details below). The British Government has also recently announced they are moving forward with marriage equality, details here.
For more information contact Rodney Croome on 0409 010 668 or Alex Greenwich on 0421 316 335.
MARRIAGE EQUALITY GOES TO CANBERRA
Real families from all over Australia are taking their stories to Canberra to remind our politicians that all relationships should be equal.
From today, representatives of the campaign will discuss their personal stories about how marriage inequality affects them and their family, leading up to Real Families, Real Stories, Marriage Equality goes to Canberra on 12 October.
Many more ordinary Australians will continue to share their personal stories through the MyMarriageStory.com.au website.
“Marriage equality is about participation in family life, and we hope this campaign will make MPs aware that the issue doesn’t just affect couples who can’t get married, but also their friends, families and many others in the community,” Alex Greenwich, National Convener Australian Marriage Equality said.
“Weddings are about love and commitment. They are beautiful events that in between our busy lifestyles bring family and friends together to celebrate an expression of love between two people.
“But despite marriage being one of the most important moments in many people’s lives, some loving and committed couples in Australia don’t have the right to marry who they want to marry.
“As part of Real Families, Real Stories, Marriage Equality goes to Canberra, mums and dads will travel to Canberra to ask MPs why their children don’t have equal marriage rights.
“Friends will head to Canberra to ask why their friends lifelong partner is not and can not be acknowledged the same way their husband or wife is.
“Men and women from across Australia will head to Canberra to ask why they can’t legalise their loving and committed relationship with the person they want to spend the rest of their life with.
“These are real people whose lives are affected by marriage inequality, and they represent many others in their community who are just like them.
“This issue is important for people in every electorate across Australia. From today, politicians will hear about the very different ways it affects the everyday lives of so many different ordinary Australians.”
• First published: 2011-09-19 02:15 AM
• KENEALLY SUPPORT FOR MARRIAGE EQUALITY WELCOMED
Marriage equality advocates have welcomed support for the issue from former NSW Premier, Kristina Keneally.
In this evening’s episode of ABC panel program, Q&A, Ms Keneally said,
“Labor and Liberal make the argument that the family is the basic building block of society. We all know that married families have a whole range of benefits – they live longer, they make more money. A whole bunch of studies back that up. Then why, why, why, don’t we grant all families the right to be married?”
Australian Marriage Equality National Convener, Alex Greenwich, said Ms Keneally’s statement highlights that marriage equality is pro-family and pro-marriage.
“Ms Keneally’s support for marriage equality is a reminder that allowing same-sex marriages is about strengthening family bonds and upholding the values of marriage”, Mr Greenwich said.
“Given Ms Keneally’s strong, publicly-declared Catholicism, her statement also shatters the myth that politicians with strong Christian beliefs are against same-sex couples marrying.”
“I urge all politicians who believe in family values to follow Ms Keneally’s example by supporting this reform.”
In this evening’s program philosopher Raymond Gaita also declared his support for marriage equality.
Speaking of same-sex attracted people Mr Gaita said “it is not an exaggeration to say it (the denial of the right to marry) is a denial of their full humanity”.
