Coroner & Legal
Advocates hail Tasmanian Government’s commitment to state marriage equality. ‘Beacon of hope’
Tasmanian gay rights advocates have praised the leadership of state premier, Lara Giddings, for her pledge to enact laws allowing same-sex couples to marry.
Tasmanian Gay and Lesbian Rights Group spokesperson, Rodney Croome, said Ms Gidding’s pledge is a historic moment for Tasmania and for the gay community nationally.
“Tasmania will be more socially inclusive, we will build stronger relationships and families, our economy will benefit and we will dispell our lingering reputation for intolerance forever.”
“Nationally, pressure for marriage equality will increase as couples married in Tasmania demand recognition from other Australian governments, and as it becomes clear that the sky doesn’t fall in when same-sex partners wed.”
At today’s Labor State Conference in Hobart Premier Lara Giddings announced that Tasmania will become the first state to allow same-sex marriages if the federal parliament fails to act.
Mr Croome said Tasmania is the logical state to take the lead because its parliament was the first to enact a civil union scheme, the first to recognise overseas same-sex marriages and the first to give in-principle support to the reform at a national level.
“Ironically, the fact Tassie was the last state to decriminalise homosexuality in 1997 has led us directly to this point because the damage caused by prejudice and discrimination is still a recent and painful memory for many Tasmanians.”
Constitutional expert, Professor George Williams, has backed the plan, pointed out that the power to make marriage laws is shared by the Commonwealth and the states and if the Commonwealth refuses to make a law for one type of marriage – in this case same-sex marriage – that power falls to the states.
Meanwhile, Professor Lee Badgett from the University of California Williams Institute has estimated that if Tasmania is the “first mover” on same-sex marriage it will benefit by at least $96 million from couples marrying in the state.
Mr Croome said a High Court challenge to Tasmania’s marriage equality law is possible but noted that many state and Commonwealth laws are enacted despite constitutional question marks, including the Howard Government’s Work Choices legislation and the Gillard Government’s carbon tax.
“To those people who say this is too much of a risk, and holds out false hope to same-sex couples, I say that there is much greater risk in not seizing this opportunity and moving forward.”
• GREENS WELCOME LABOR MOVE ON MARRIAGE EQUALITY
Nick McKim MP
Greens Leader
Saturday, 4 August 2012
The Tasmanian Greens today welcomed Premier Lara Giddings’ announcement that the Parliamentary Labor Party would support state-based marriage equality legislation.
The Greens Leader Nick McKim MP, who currently has marriage equality legislation tabled in the House of Assembly, said that Tasmania was now positioned to lead the nation on a vital progressive reform, delivered by a productive power sharing arrangement between two political parties.
“This is an historic day for Tasmania,” Mr McKim said.
“We now know that the Tasmanian House of Assembly will pass legislation to end this legally entrenched discrimination.”
“To remove discrimination from our community, we first need to remove it from our laws. Today is a significant step on that journey.”
“This is not only the right thing to do, but will be a great shot in the arm for Tasmanian economy, especially small business.”
“I look forward to constructive discussions with Ms Giddings to progress this issue.”
• Greens call on Julia Gillard to show leadership on marriage equality
Senator Sarah Hanson-Young has today commented on the Tasmanian ALP’s support for same-sex marriage.
“It is time for Prime Minister Julia Gillard to show the same leadership that Premier Giddings has shown by allowing for marriage equality for all Australians” said Senator Hanson-Young, Australian Greens spokesperson for human rights.
“Premier Giddings is right – the time has come for marriage equality and this is the moment for our own Prime Minister to get on the right side of history and show leadership at the Federal level by delivering equality for all couples.
“The Greens welcome this move by the Tasmanian Premier Lara Giddings and hope that the support for marriage equality in Tasmania is a catalyst for further support for marriage reform at the Federal level.
“The Greens’ Minister Nick McKim has a bill already before the Tasmanian parliament to allow same-sex couples to marry in Tasmania and it is wonderful to have Premier Giddings’ support for the legislation.
“The Greens also have a state-based marriage bill before the South Australian parliament as well as two bills currently before the Federal Parliament, in both the Senate and the House of Representatives.
• ALP CONFERENCE SHOULD TACKLE FORCED ADOPTIONS
Paul O’Halloran MP
Greens Children’s Spokesperson
Sunday, 16 October 2011
The Tasmanian Greens today called on Labor Party members at today’s State Conference to pressure Lara Giddings to commit to a tripartite State apology to current and former Tasmanians affected by past forced adoption practices.
Last week the Greens Leader Nick McKim MP and Children’s spokesperson Paul O’Halloran MP wrote to the Premier and the Liberal Leader inviting them to meet to discuss developing an appropriately worded forced adoptions apology, in consultation with stakeholders.
Mr O’Halloran said this weekend’s State Conference would be an ideal opportunity for Labor to make such a public commitment.
“The Labor Party’s rank and file traditionally have a strong interest in fairness and social justice, and it would be disappointing if they didn’t also support an apology by the state for its role in forced adoptions,” Mr O’Halloran said.
“I am sure many in the Labor Party felt a strong pang of shame over Tasmania’s lack of action, when last month they saw the South Australian Liberal Premier deliver his moving apology recently in that state’s Parliament”.
“Earlier this year a Senate Committee report called on all state and territory governments, as well as the Federal government, to issue formal statements of apology to those affected by forced adoptions policies in force from the 1950s to 1980s.”
“Since the release of the Senate report the Greens have raised the need for a Tasmanian apology in the Parliament numerous time, and we keep just being told that it is ‘under consideration’.”
“Most recently the Greens wrote to the Premier and the Liberal Leader seeking immediate discussions over the appropriate wording for an official Tasmanian apology to those affected by this inhumane practice.”
“The Greens aren’t prepared to be fobbed off with excuses for inaction, because we have heard first hand the grief of people whose children were removed under the cover state-condoned lies and deception.”
“While an apology will not undo this awful action, it will go a long way towards helping people heal.”
• TASMANIA SET TO ACCELERATE MARRIAGE EQUALITY NATIONALLY
THE APPLE ISLE BECOMES ‘BEACON OF HOPE’
TAS SMALL BUSINESS COUNCIL BACKS MARRIAGE EQUALITY
NEW VIDEO AND WEBSITE EXPLAINS “HOW AND WHY” OF TASMANIAN INITIATIVE
Marriage equality advocates have hailed the Tasmanian Government’s commitment to state marriage equality laws, saying the move will accelerate reform at a national level.
Australian Marriage Equality national convener, Alex Greenwich, said,
“The fact that, for the first time ever, we may have legal same-sex marriages on Australian soil, will build pressure for the federal parliament to act and be an incentive for other states to follow Tasmania.”
“Same-sex couples married in Tasmania will demand recognition from the federal government and their own state government increasing the momentum for reform.”
“Same-sex couples marrying in Tasmania will also show the rest of the nation that the sky doesn’t fall just because two people of the same sex declare their love and commitment.”
Tasmanian Gay and Lesbian Rights Group spokesperson, Rodney Croome, said there has been an “overwhelming response” to yesterday’s announcement.
“In the last 24 hours the response to Lara Gidding’s announcement from same-sex couples and their families across the state and the nation has been overwhelming, with emails pouring in asking ‘when can we marry?’.”
“Overnight, Tasmania has become a beacon of hope for hundreds of thousands of Australians.”
“Tasmania has changed profoundly since it was the last state to decriminalise homosexuality in 1997 and we will welcome the thousands of same-sex couples from other states who want to marry in Australia rather than fly to North America or Europe to wed.”
“Marrying heterosexual couples will also be more likely to marry in a place where marriage is defined by love and commitment, not by who it excludes.”
Meanwhile, the Tasmanian Small Business Council has praised the State Government for its “entrepreneurial spirit” in supporting marriage equality.
In a statement issued yesterday evening Executive Officer, Robert Mallett, said,
“Modelling which has been provided to the TSBC demonstrates that Tasmania could benefit by the tune of $100 million if it adopts the principle of same sex marriage and is the first state to do so.”
“The proposal seems sound and would help achieve what the vast majority of Tasmanian small businesses are saying…we need more customers.”
Today, marriage equality supporters also launched a new video and website which seeks to explain how and why Tasmania should lead the nation on marriage equality.
The video can be found at:
The website can be found at:
www.tasunited.org
First published: 2012-08-04 06:06 PM
• Greens call on Prime Minister to rule out constitutional challenge to Tasmanian same sex marriage
The Australian Greens today called on Prime Minister Julia Gillard to rule out any constitutional challenge to Tasmania’s proposed same-sex marriage laws.
“The Greens call on the Prime Minister to rule out any constitutional challenge to Tasmanian marriage equality reforms” said the Greens’ human rights spokesperson Senator Sarah Hanson-Young today.
“The Prime Minister should ensure marriage equality for all Australian couples, regardless of their sexuality or gender or the state they live in, by backing the Greens’ bill currently before the Senate to allow for marriage equality across our nation.
“Marriage equality in Australia is inevitable and it’s time for the Prime Minister to show the leadership and long-sightedness of the Tasmanian Premier Lara Giddings.
“We look forward to the day when the Greens’ bill for marriage equality, which has already been introduced by Greens Minister Nick McKim, passes into Tasmanian law and call on the Prime Minister to assure us that the reforms won’t be over-shadowed by federal legal intervention.
“The Greens also have a state-based marriage equality bill before the South Australian parliament.
• MONDAY:
•Gay marriage could lead to future apologies to children
The Australian Christian Lobby said Tasmanian Premier Lara Giddings decision to press ahead with gay marriage could lead to future apologies to children who have no say in being separated from their biological parents.
The ACL’s Tasmanian Director Mark Brown said it beggared belief that on the day the Premier announced a decision to apologise to victims of forced adoptions to announce plans for gay marriage which fundamentally alters the structure of family and the right of children to be raised by their parents.
“I cannot understand why the Premier cannot see the link between forcing children to be removed from their biological parents between the 1950s and 1980s and gay marriage which also sets up a framework for children to be raised by someone other than their parents?” Mr Brown said.
“Some children have always missed out on a mother or father but that is usually because of tragedy or desertion, not because of a deliberate decision before they were born.
“The ACL does not deny the love that same-sex couples may have for a child they raise but it can never replace a biological parent.
“In 20 or 30 years, we will have a generation who will say, `who made the decision I should never have had a mother or father?’
“Are we not learning from the mistakes of the past – situations like the forced adoptions and stolen generation – where children are taken from their biological parents and raised by someone else?
“Can we ignore the trauma and hurt caused by these situations and deny that this could not be a future consequence of children raised in families other than the biological ones?” he said.
Mr Brown said some states had already legalised altruistic surrogacy to singles and same-sex couples but that was already causing hurt and pain and said gay marriage was an ideological issue which would condone and encourage more of this practice.
“It was good to see the Queensland Government in the process of repealing surrogacy for homosexuals and singles,” Mr Brown said.
• TASMANIAN GAY AND LESBIAN RIGHTS GROUP
Media Release
Monday August 6th 2012
COUPLES AND FAMILIES TO BE FOCUS OF TAS MARRIAGE EQUALITY CAMPAIGN
Advocates say their campaign to achieve marriage equality in Tasmania will focus on the human face of the issue.
Tasmanian Gay and Lesbian Rights Group spokesperson, Rodney Croome, said the best advocates for marriage equality are the couples and families who will directly benefit.
“The international experience shows that marriage equality strengthens relationships and families, and we will be encouraging Tasmanian politicians to meet the people who can communicate this message best of all.”
Mr Croome said the marriage equality campaign will also highlight the social and economic benefits for Tasmania.
“The $100 million windfall that is expected from same-sex couples marrying in Tasmania will mean more jobs for young Tasmanians in the small business sector.”
Two of those who will be talking to politicians are Corey Peterson and Els MacIntosh.
Corey, and his long-term partner Cameron McShane, are in a Tasmanian civil union but want to “upgrade” to full equality.
“Our message to Tasmania’s politicians will be that it’s important for us to be treated equally before the law. We’re looking forward to doing an upgrade into what everybody else can have.”
Els McIntosh the mother of gay son, Nick McIntosh, says her message will be about how marriage equality strengthens families.
“Marriage creates a unique bond that brings families together. I would like my son’s partner to be my son-in-law.”
A new video explaining why marriage equality is important for Tasmania is now available on www.tasunited.org
• AUSTRALIAN MARRIAGE EQUALITY
Media Release
Monday August 6th 2012
A.C.T. MAY BE NEXT TO MOVE ON GAY MARRIAGE
ADVOCATES WELCOME ACT SUPPORT FROM ACT DEPUTY CHIEF MINISTER
Marriage Equality advocates have welcomed tentative support for marriage equality in the ACT from Territory Deputy Chief Minister, Andrew Barr.
Mr Barr has told the Canberra Times that the ACT would “examine what happens in Tasmania and be open to looking at a similar change to the law”. (full report here)
Mr Barr who is also the Minister for Economic Development and Minister for Tourism, has also said he agrees with the Tasmanian Premier that economic studies prove same-sex marriages would benefit the economies of states and territories:
Australian Marriage Equality National Convener Alex Greenwich said:
“Mr Barr knows first-hand how meaningful this reform would be to couples in the ACT, and can see how beneficial the reform would be to the territory’s economy”
“The race is on, Australians want marriage equality and same-sex couples will reward whoever goes first”
“The message to the Federal Parliament is clear – if you ignore the aspirations of the majority of Australians and fail to support this reform it will occur anyway, state by state and territory by territory”.
A report on the economic impact of marriage equality can be found here:
http://williamsinstitute.law.ucla.edu/press/press-releases/marriage-in-australia-will-boost-economy/
• LIBS SHOULD FOLLOW THEIR CONSCIENCE, NOT ERIC ABETZ
Which Side Of History Will Mr Hodgman Choose?
Nick McKim MP
Greens Leader
Monday, 6 August 2012
The Tasmanian Greens today condemned Will Hodgman’s Liberal Party for attempting to defend laws based on homophobic discrimination, and issued a call to the Liberal Leader to grant his MPs a conscience vote on marriage equality.
Greens Leader Nick McKim said that Labor’s decision to back state-based marriage equality was a big step forward, one that highlighted the Liberal Party’s regressive policies on sexuality-based discrimination.
“A landmark social change is coming to Tasmania, and every Liberal Party MP now needs to consider whether they want to go down in history as defending homophobic discrimination or tearing it down,” Mr McKim said.
“It’s sad to see the Liberals publicly defending a form of discrimination that they know is indefensible.”
“Unfortunately the more progressive elements of the Liberal Party have been railroaded by the more ruthless right wing element led by Eric Abetz, whose campaign against homosexuality is utterly shameful.”
“I am appealing to Mr Hodgman listen to his conscience, do what he knows is right, and grant his MPs the right to decide for themselves on this issue.”
“No elected representative can argue for ending discrimination in the community, if they aren’t prepared to set an example by working to remove it from our legal system.”
• SATURDAY:
Gonski Bear greets the Labor faithful
Harriet Binet Communications, Campaigns and Media Officer Australian Education Union Tasmanian Branch
All about Gonski and the Australian Education Union campaign