SCOTLAND TAKES LEAD ON MARRIAGE EQUALITY
Australia Risks Being Left Behind
Nick McKim MP
Greens Leader
Thursday, 26 July 2012
The Tasmanian Greens Leader Nick McKim MP today welcomed moves by the Scottish Government toward marriage equality, saying that Australia and Tasmania were now in danger of being left behind on this vital reform.
“It’s great to see that the Scottish Parliament has shown the courage to go it alone on marriage equality, showing leadership on an issue whose time has well and truly come,” Mr McKim said.
“We hope that this helps to reassure the Tasmanian Labor and Liberal parties that our state does have the constitutional capacity to go it alone on marriage equality, as the Greens have always argued.”
“We would prefer to see same sex couples getting married here in Tasmania, not Scotland, not least because it would be a huge economic shot in the arm for the state.”
“The Greens would prefer to see marriage equality in place at the national level, but if the Federal Parliament fails to move in a timely fashion, we will bring our own bills on for debate in State Parliament.”
“Australia should be taking the lead in ending the legal discrimination against same sex couples, but instead we risk looking like being dragged along for the ride.”
• TASMANIAN GAY AND LESBIAN RIGHTS GROUP
Media Release
Thursday July 26th 2012
TASMANIA SHOULD FOLLOW SCOTTISH LEAD ON MARRIAGE EQUALITY
NEW ZEALAND’S MOVE TO MARRIAGE EQUALITY ALSO INCREASES PRESSURE ON TASSIE TO ACT
Tasmanian gay rights advocates say Tasmania should follow Scotland’s example and be a “first mover” on same-sex marriage.
Scotland will become the first place in the UK to allow same-sex couples to marry after the Scottish Government announced yesterday it will move forward on the issue regardless of what the UK Government does.
Tasmanian Gay and Lesbian Rights Group spokesperson, Rodney Croome, said Tasmania should follow Scotland’s lead and be the first place in Australia to allow same-sex marriages.
“It makes sense for Tasmania to lead on same-sex marriage because we have the constitutional power to legislate in this area and it we will reap a massive economic windfall from taking a lead on the issue.”
“If Tasmania were to be the first mover in Australia it would send out a positive message that we are a truly inclusive society that has moved on from the time when were the last state to criminalise same-sex relationships.”
“If the federal parliament fails to endorse marriage equality later this year, Tasmania should take the lead.”
Constitutional expert, Prof George Williams, has provided written legal advice that the states have the power to enact laws for same-sex marriage, while US economist, Prof Lee Badgett, has estimated that the Tasmanian economy would benefit by at least $100 million over three years from same-sex couples coming to Tasmania to marry.
It is uncertain if the federal parliament will support marriage equality when it votes on the issue later this year. Tasmanian Greens leader, Nick McKim, has said he will bring forward legislation if reform fails federally.
Mr Croome also welcomed news that the New Zealand Parliament will soon debate, and may pass, marriage equality.
“The possibility of New Zealand achieving marriage equality puts more pressure on Tasmania to take the lead because every Australian same-sex couple who marries in New Zealand will be spending money that could be spent here.”
A report released yesterday found that the US state of New York had a $259 million economic injection from same-sex weddings in the first year since marriage equality was enacted in that state.
For more on Scotland:
http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-world/scotland-to-legalise-gay-marriage-20120726-22rtj.html
For more on New Zealand:
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10822370
For more on New York:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/07/24/new-york-same-sex-marriage-million-economic-impact_n_1699089.html
Earlier on Tasmanian Times: Tell Me Why
