Tasmanian marriage equality advocates have vowed to fight on for a state Same-Sex Marriage Bill after the state Upper House today rejected a motion to revisit the Bill.
Australian Marriage Equality national director, Rodney Croome said,
“Last year Upper House members said they were against the Bill because of constitutional concerns.”
“Those concerns have now been addressed but they still voted against the Bill showing that in reality they just don’t want to deal with this legislation.”
“The Upper House wants to gag the tens of thousands of Tasmanians who passionately support this reform but we will not be gagged.”
“We will continue to campaign for this Bill right up to and after the state election in March.”
Tasmanians United for Marriage Equality convener, Andrew Badcock, said,
“It is very disappointing that the Upper House has said it doesn’t want to deal with an issue that is about fundamental human rights and which is being discussed in the community on a daily basis.”
“All their concerns from last year have been addressed but they found new ones to justify not re-debating the Bill.”
“Tasmanian same-sex couples should not have to go interstate to marry and we will continue to campaign to ensure they can marry here in Tasmania among their friends and family members.”
“Until same-sex marriage laws are passed, same-sex couples and families will still miss out on being treated with equal respect and protection as other Tasmanian families.”
The motion to revisit the Bill was defeated eight votes to six, the same margin by which the Bill was defeated last year.
Some MLCs said there is not community support for same-sex marriage despite every reputable opinion poll showing a majority of Tasmanians support it.
Others said the Same-Sex Marriage Bill doesn’t provide equality and could make discrimination worse.
Mr Croome said,
“MLCs who cite the principle of equality to oppose this Bill are engaging in an Owellian campaign to convince us that black is white.”
• Nick McKim: Marriage equality setback
• Guy Barnett: Commonsense in charge at Parliament
• Australian Marriage Forum: ACT and Tasmania have shown contempt
• ACL: Defeat of same-sex marriage motion in Tas signals time to move on
• Family Voice: TAS votes to uphold marriage “I am glad our MPs appreciate the importance of upholding man-woman marriage, in line with federal laws. We especially thank MLCs Rosemary Armitage, Ivan Dean, Adriana Taylor, Vanessa Goodwin, Leonie Hiscutt, Paul Harriss, Greg Hall and Tania Rattray, who voted against the Forrest motion.
• Advocates to focus on building community support …
