TASMANIAN GAY AND LESBIAN RIGHTS GROUP
Advocates have welcomed the Tasmanian Government’s recognition in state law of same-sex couples married in the UK, Ireland and New Zealand but say the federal Marriage Act should recognise them as married partners.
In 2010 Tasmania became the first state to recognise overseas same-sex marriages as state civil unions, but the Marriage Act prohibits their recognition as marriages in federal or state law.
Tasmanian Gay and Lesbian Rights Group spokesperson, Rodney Croome, said
“The state government’s initiative provides greater legal certainty for Tasmanian same-sex couples married overseas and overseas married same-sex couples holidaying in or immigrating to Tasmania.”
“The importance of this was re-inforced last year when a married same-sex partner from the UK, Marco Bulmer-Rizzi, who was on his honeymoon in South Australia, was not recognised as his husband’s next of kin after his husband’s accidental death.”
“But recognition as civil partners under state law is no subsitute for full recognition as married partners under federal law.”
“The solemn vows of life long commitment same-sex partners make in other countries should be respected by federal law but instead they count for virually nothing the moment these partners walk through Australian customs.”
“The only answer to this problem is reform the federal Marriage Act so overseas same-sex marriages are recognised for what they are, full, legal, equal marriages.”
For a news report, go to:
http://www.themercury.com.au/news/tasmania/those-married-overseas-gain-more-rights-in-tasmania/news-story/b1029dde4027b10e18923cb0bf4ba81b
Tasmanian Gay and Lesbian Rights Group spokesperson, Rodney Croome
