Don’t force premature marriage equality vote

CALL ON S.A. GOV’T NOT TO FORCE PREMATURE MARRIAGE EQUALITY VOTE
SOUTH AUSTRALIANS WANT POLITICIANS TO WORK TOGETHER ON LANDMARK REFORM

Marriage equality advocates have called on the South Australian government not to force a premature vote on a Same-Sex Marriage Bill currently before the state parliament until a NSW parliamentary report relevant to the issue has been made public.

The State Labor Government is expected to bring on a vote on the Bill as early as tomorrow, despite the State Liberal Party saying it will not reconsider its stance against a conscience vote on the Bill until it has seen the NSW report, effectively dooming the Bill to defeat.

The NSW report, which deals with the critical issue of the constitutionality of state same-sex marriage laws, is due very soon, possibly within days.

Australian Marriage Equality national director, Rodney Croome, said,

“The majority of South Australians who support marriage equality want their politicians to work together to achieve what will be a landmark reform, not just for same-sex couples and their families but for the state.”

“Having a vote on this Bill before key information has been made public, and before the Liberal Party and some conflicted Labor MPs have had a chance to consider this information, is premature and unnecessary.”

“Marriage equality has been achieved in New Zealand and the UK through cross-party co-operation and the same cross-party co-operation is required at a state and federal level in Australia.”

“My message to SA Premier, Jay Weatherill, is that achieving marriage equality requires him to leave politics behind and instead show real leadership by building a cross-party coalition in support of reform.”
Australian Marriage Equality national director, Rodney Croome