Advocates hope Goodwin will ‘do the right thing’

TASMANIANS UNITED FOR MARRIAGE EQUALITY

Media Release
Wednesday October 23rd 2013

ADVOCATES HOPE GOODWIN WILL “DO THE RIGHT THING” ON MARRIAGE BILL

Marriage equality advocates hope State Liberal Vanessa Goodwin will change her mind and support revisiting the Same-Sex Marriage Bill based on new evidence addressing her concerns about the constitutionality of the Bill.

Dr Goodwin today said she will not support a motion from Ruth Forrest MLC bringing the Bill back for debate.

Tasmanians United for Marriage Equality convener, Andrew Badcock, said,

“The issue before Vanessa Goodwin and other MLCs is whether enough has changed since the Same-Sex Marriage Bill was narrowly defeated last year to revisit it now.”

“In recent weeks the Tasmanian Law Reform Institute and respected constitutional barrister, Bret Walker SC, have both presented compelling new evidence about the constitutionality of the Same-Sex Marriage Bill which deserves to be properly debated.”

“Given Vanessa Goodwin’s concerns about the Bill were about its constitutionality, it’s deeply disappointing that she does not even want to debate the new evidence.”

“We are still hoping she will change her mind and do the right thing.”

Mr Badcock said the passage of a same-sex marriage law through the ACT Legislative Assembly is a reason to revisit the Tasmanian Bill.

“It would be a shame if Tasmanian couples were forced to marry in Canberra under legislation pioneered in Tasmania only to have their solemn vows of lifelong commitment not recognised in Tasmanian when they return home.”
Tasmanians United for Marriage Equality convener, Andrew Badcock