Rodney Croome, Tasmanian Gay and Lesbian rights Group:
Tasmanian gay activists have welcomed today’s decision by the ALP to adopt a new party policy in favour of allowing same-sex couples to marry and called on Tony Abbott to allow a Coalition conscience vote on the issue.
Tasmanian Gay and Lesbian Rights Group spokesperson, Rodney Croome, hailed the vote as historic.
“The Labor Party has responded to the majority of Australians who support marriage equality by declaring that it puts love before prejudice and equality before discrimination”, Mr Croome said.
“It’s disappointing the Party opted for a conscience vote on the issue but I am confident the momentum for change is unstoppable.”
“We call on Tony Abbott to act according to Liberal Party principles of individual freedom and allow his Party to also have a conscience vote on what is an important issue for many Australians.”
Greens:
Greens MP Adam Bandt says he will move amendments to the Marriage Act in the House of Representatives as soon Parliament resumes, following the decision to back a conscience vote on marriage equality at ALP national conference today.
Mr Bandt will seek co-sponsors from Labor, the Coalition and the cross-bench for the private member’s bill.
Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young will also move for a vote in the Senate.
“It is disappointing that Labor has failed to adopt a position of complete support for marriage equality.”
“However, Labor support for a conscience vote provides us with an opportunity to test Parliament’s support for marriage equality.”
“Labor’s decision now puts marriage equality in the hands of those Coalition members who have the courage to stand by their convictions.”
“I am hopeful love will prevail and that the Parliament will back marriage equality for all.”
Senator Bob Brown: Greens to seize momentum on marriage equality
The Australian Greens have announced today they will reintroduce their marriage equality bill into both houses of parliament when sittings resume in early 2012.
Seizing on the momentum of the ALP’s decision on marriage equality, Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young invited both Labor and Liberal members to co-sign her bill.
“Marriage equality and fairness for all is about love and should be above politics,” the Greens’ marriage equality spokesperson said.
“With support from members from all sides, I believe these bills can pass in time for the spring wedding season.”
The Greens senator has called on Tony Abbott to allow members of the coalition to have a conscience vote.
“Individual members of the Liberal party have a proud history of crossing the floor on important pieces of legislation. I call on members of the Liberal party to exercise the freedom their party gives them on issues they believe in.
“The Australian Greens have been leading the way on marriage equality for more than a decade. We welcome the change in the ALP’s platform as agreed at their national conference but we are disappointed some Labor members will be able to opt out of removing discrimination. True equality does not have an opt-out clause.
“Cupid doesn’t discriminate and neither should the law.”
ALP MARRIAGE EQUALITY PLATFORM SHOWS MOMENTUM FOR REFORM UNSTOPPABLE
ADVOCATES CALL ON ABBOTT TO ALLOW CONSCIENCE VOTE
Media Release
Saturday December 3rd 2011
Marriage equality advocates have hailed today’s decision by the ALP to support same-sex marriage, with Australian Marriage Equality National Convener, Alex Greenwich, saying:
“The momentum towards achieving marriage equality is unstoppable”.
Mr Greenwich said a major obstacle to reform has been removed thanks to the efforts of tens of thousands of ordinary Australians.
“Today is a day of celebration for those ordinary Australians – gay and straight, young and old, city and country – who have called out for equality and had their voices answered”, Mr Greenwich said.
“We are disappointed Labor MPs have been given a conscience vote but the momentum for change is unstoppable because marriage equality is an issue which resonates with fundamental Australian values like fairness and inclusion.”
“A major obstacle to reform has been removed and we are prepared to face the new challenge we have been given of achieving reform with a Labor conscience vote.”
Mr Greenwich said there is more support for marriage equality in Coalition ranks than many people believe and called on Opposition Leader, Tony Abbott, to allow a conscience vote.
“Marriage equality is not about left versus right, it is about love and commitment, which are values we all hold dear.”
Tasmanian Rainbow Labor Convenor Robbie Moore
*** ALP NATIONAL CONFERENCE ENDORSES MARRIAGE EQUALITY ***
Tasmanian Rainbow Labor today celebrated the endorsement of marriage equality by the Australian Labor Party National Conference. Tasmanian Rainbow Labor is proud to have been at the forefront of this reform that began when the Tasmanian State Conference was the first ALP state conference to pass marriage equality in 2009.
The 2011 Tasmanian ALP State conference overwhelming again endorsed marriage equality and stepped up it’s call for the national ALP conference to adopt this position. This was further supported by the decision of the Tasmanian State Government to also endorse marriage equality.
Tasmanian Rainbow Labor was especially proud that 19 of Tasmania’s 23 delegates supported the change to the ALP national platform to support marriage equality. Tasmanian Rainbow Labor will now begin discussion with Tasmanian members of the house of representatives and senators to make sure that these members support marriage equality when it come to parliament in line with the overwhelming support that Tasmanian Labor Party members have continually demonstrated for marriage equality.
Meanwhile, excitement elsewhere at the ALP conference:
http://twitter.com/#!/search/%23ALPnc/slideshow/photos?url=https%3A%2F%2Fp.twimg.com%2FAfopfVACQAAUdiT.jpg
SUPPORT FOR MARRIAGE EQUALITY CONSCIENCE VOTE A POSITIVE STEP
Conviction Must Be Backed By Action
Nick McKim MP
Greens Leader
The Tasmanian Greens said today’s decision by the Labor Party’s National Conference to support a conscience vote on marriage equality places responsibility on the Coalition and Independents in the Federal Parliament to end legally-entrenched discrimination against same sex couples in Australia.
Greens Leader Nick McKim said it was now up to all Federal Parliamentarians to stand up for basic human rights by supporting changes to the nation’s laws that would allow all Australians the be equal before the law regardless of their gender or sexuality.
“For those committed to full equality, the outcome of the Federal ALP conference is bitter-sweet,” Mr McKim said.
“On one hand a huge breakthrough for equality was achieved by the passage of a motion to change the ALP’s platform on same-sex marriage, yet it appears Labor has tried to have a bob each way by still endorsing a conscience vote on any legislation moved to implement that platform.”
“Labor delegates have given fresh hope to thousands of same-sex couples around Australia that marriage equality could soon be enshrined in law, and now it’s up to all Federal Parliamentarians to deliver.”
“Only a few months ago a successful Greens motion in the House of Assembly saw Tasmania become the first Australian jurisdiction to give in-principle support to marriage equality. It’s pleasing see that momentum now being carried through into the Federal arena.”
“The Greens look forward to the day when Australia’s current discriminatory marriage laws are finally changed to allow same sex couples across our country have access to one of the most fundamental civil institutions in our society.”
“The Tasmanian Greens welcome the commitment by Federal Greens MP Adam Bandt to take the lead on this issue, by moving amendments to the Federal Marriage Act in the House of Representatives as soon Parliament resumes.”
“Due to Labor opting for a conscience vote on any legislation, the fate of these changes still rests with members of the Labor, Liberal and National parties and Independents.”
“The Tasmanian Greens are calling on members from all sides of politics to show genuine leadership, to listen to overwhelming community sentiment on this issue, and vote in support of this measure to end legally-entrenched discrimination against same sex couples.”
”If the Federal Parliament fails to pass these measures in a timely fashion, the Tasmanian Greens will bring on our already-tabled cognate package of Bills to provide for a state-based same-sex marriage.”
“It is clear from the legal advice of leading Australian constitutional law expert Professor George Williams that Tasmania can legislate on marriage equality.”
“The Greens are of the firm opinion that should the Federal Parliament fail to end this discrimination, Tasmania has the constitutional capacity to go it alone,” Mr McKim said.
TASMANIA MUST GO IT ALONE ON MARRIAGE EQUALITY
Federal Conscience Vote Doomed to Fail
Nick McKim MP
Greens Leader
The Tasmanian Green said that following the Australian Labor Party’s decision to back a conscience vote on same sex marriage, it now looks highly unlikely that marriage equality will be delivered through the Commonwealth Parliament in this term of government
Greens Leader Nick McKim MP said that, on that basis, he would be bringing on for debate next year the Tasmanian Greens’ already-tabled Bills to create a state-based same sex marriage framework.
“While it was a positive step for the Australian Labor Party to change its platform on same sex marriage, the decision to endorse a conscience vote in the Federal Parliament will almost certainly mean that this measure is doomed to fail,” Mr McKim said.
“The Greens are of the firm opinion that should the Federal Parliament fail to end this discrimination, Tasmania has the constitutional capacity to go it alone.”
“Just as Tasmania helped drive the push to have this issue placed squarely on the national agenda this year, the State should continue to lead the way to establish marriage equality for all.”
“We will therefore be once again calling on the Premier Lara Giddings and her Labor colleagues to stand up and be prepared to show national leadership on this issue when it is put to a vote in the House of Assembly.”
“All Tasmanian Labor Party MPs voted to support the Greens motion expressing in-principle support for same sex marriage earlier this year, and it’s only a small step from there to changing the laws.”
Mr McKim also urged the Premier to seek new advice from the Solicitor General regarding Tasmania’s constitutional capacity to legislate for same sex marriage.
“The Premier is relying on advice from the previous Solicitor General to support her position that Tasmania must wait for the Federal Government to take action on this issue.”
“Things have come a long way in the last few years in this debate, and I would urge the Premier to seek advice from the current Solicitor General, who may well take a different view.”
“The Greens’ advice is from one of Australia’s most respected constitutional lawyers, Professor George Williams, whose view is that Tasmania does not need to wait for the Federal Government to act.”
“This reform will not cost the State Budget a single cent, but could deliver a massive economic boost into Tasmania’s economy by turning the state into a same sex marriage destination.”
“If Tasmania does decide to go it alone on marriage equality, it would place us at the forefront of progressive social policy in this country and also bring a massive economic boost for the state.”
AUSTRALIAN MARRIAGE EQUALITY
Media Release
Monday December 5th 2011
POLL: COALITION VOTERS WANT ABBOTT TO GRANT GAY MARRIAGE CONSCIENCE VOTE
A Galaxy Research poll released today by Australian Marriage Equality shows overwhelming public support for Tony Abbott granting a conscience vote on marriage equality.
The poll shows that 4-in-5 Australians (80%) want Tony Abbott to allow a conscience vote, with 76% of coalition voters also backing the move. The highest support comes from young voters, with 90% supporting a coalition MPs being granted a free vote.
Australian Marriage Equality National Convener, Alex Greenwich, said coalition voters want coalition MPs to reflect public sentiment on the issue:
“Coalition voters want coalition MPs to have a free vote. They know it’s important for MPs who support reform to be able to express this in parliament, especially with such high support for equality across key Liberal seats”.
Mr Greenwich said Mr Abbott could learn from Labor’s mistakes:
“If Mr Abbott acts now to grant a conscience vote he will avoid the kind of divisions and ruptures that plagued Labor during its protracted internal debate on marriage equality.”
Mr Greenwich said allowing a conscience vote is supported by core Liberal Party principals and key Coalition figures:
“A Coalition conscience vote would honour the Coalition’s core principle of individual freedom, and is a move supported by Malcolm Turnbull, Barnaby Joyce, Senator Simon Birmingham, and NSW Premier Barry O’Farrell”
At Saturday’s ALP National Conference the Party changed its policy to support marriage equality but also allowed its MPs to vote against that policy if they wish.
Because numbers in Parliament are so evenly balanced and some Labor MPs will vote against marriage equality the reform can only occur if there is a Coalition conscience vote or Coalition MPs cross the floor in defiance of Party policy.
“We hope that Mr Abbott will recognise that the momentum for marriage equality is unstoppable and by granting a conscience vote he will allow the coalition to play a part in this historic reform.”
The Galaxy research was commissioned by Australian Marriage Equality. A fact sheet on the research can be found here and the full report is here
