ADVOCATES WELCOME MOVE TO BRING BACK SAME-SEX MARRIAGE BILL

Marriage equality advocates have welcomed a move by state Upper House member, Ruth Forrest, to bring back the Same-Sex Marriage Bill defeated by a slim majority of Upper House members in September last year.

Tasmanian Gay and Lesbian Rights Group spokesperson, Rodney Croome, said,

“With same-sex marriages imminent in Britain, France and New Zealand, but no change likely any time soon at a federal level, Tasmania has another opportunity to lead the nation on this important reform.”

“Australian same-sex couples should be able to marry in their own country, rather than fly to Auckland or seek out a British consulate, and this Bill gives them that opportunity.”

Ms Forrest today introduced a motion that would allow the Same-Sex Marriage Bill to return to the Upper House’s agenda, the first step towards another debate. The Upper House must vote to accept the Bill before it can be debated.

Mr Croome said formal inquiries such as the one currently being conducted by the NSW parliament will clarify many of the constitutional concerns raised by Tasmanian Upper House members during last year’s debate.
Tasmanian Gay and Lesbian Rights Group spokesperson, Rodney Croome