Tas marriage equality advocate hopes court will strike down postal vote

Ahead of a High Court hearing into the constitutionality of the Federal Government’s marriage equality postal vote, Tasmanian marriage equality advocate Rodney Croome, says he hopes the Court will strike down the vote.

The High Court hearing into two cases against the postal vote begins tomorrow in Melbourne and is expected to last two days.

Mr Croome, who helped organise the case taken by Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays, Tasmanian federal independent, Andrew Wilkie, and Melbourne lebian mother of three, Felicity Marlowe, said,

“I helped organise this High Court challenge because I don’t believe fundamental rights should be decided by a straw poll and because the inevitable hate campaigns will cause deep division and damage.”

“So far Tasmania has been largely free of the hate campaigns seen in other states which is probably because of our strong laws against hate speech, but we are not immune.”

“If the Court upholds the postal vote we will roll out a statewide campaign that highlights the support for marriage equality from everyday Tasmanians.”

“If the Court strikes down the postal vote our focus will be on ensuring parliament does its job and votes marriage equality through as soon as possible.”

Mr Croome will be in Melbourne for the hearing. The Court could deliver its ruling as early as Thursday.
Rodney Croome, justequal