Advocates make case to Upper House to revisit same-sex marriage bill

ADVOVATES MAKE CASE TO UPPER HOUSE FOR REVISITING SAME-SEX MARRIAGE BILL

Marriage equality advocates have told a Tasmanian Upper House briefing that enough has changed since the state’s Same-Sex Marriage Bill was defeated last year to warrant bringing the Bill back.

Murchison MLC, Ruth Forrest, has proposed to bring the Bill back a year after it was narrowly defeated last year.

Australian Marriage Equality national director, Rodney Croome, told the Upper House this afternoon that,

“Our closest allies, including New Zealand and the UK, have passed similar laws without the sky falling in and other states are moving forward on the issue.”
“Meanwhile, two reports, including one from the Tasmania Law Reform Institute, have dealth with many of the constitutional concerns Upper House members had last year.”

The Tasmanian Law Reform Institute this afternoon briefed the Legislative Council about its report, explaining that Tasmania has the constitutional power to pass a law for same-sex marriages and that the state would have a strong case if the law is challenged in the High Court.

Womens’ Legal Service CEO, Susan Fahey, told Upper House members that they should revisit the Same-Sex Marriage Bill now that many of their constitutional concerns have been addressed.

“Many of the constitutional issues raised by this Bill were not properly addressed last year but now they have been and the Bill should be revisited.”

Tasmanians United for Marriage Equality spokesperson, Andrew Badcock, said it makes sense for the Upper House to pass a same-sex marriage law after it allowed gay adoption earlier in the year.

“Children raised by same-sex couples should have the same opportunity as other children to have married parents.”

Mr Croome dismissed the point made by Save Marriage Coalition spokesperson, Guy Barnett, during his briefing that Tasmania should not proceed when there is the possibility of a challenge against a similar ACT law.

“The ACT is in a weaker constitutional position than Tasmania so the outcome may not determine the constitutionality of a Tasmanian Bill.”

“The Tasmanian Parliament should not be intimidated by the federal government’s opposition state and territory same-sex marriage laws and should pass the Same-Sex Marriage Bill because of its benefits to our state.”
Australian Marriage Equality national director, Rodney Croome