AUSTRALIANS URGED TO ASK IRISH FRIENDS AND FAMILY …

… TO VOTE ‘YES’ FOR MARRIAGE EQUALITY
‘YES’ VOTE WILL LEAVE AUSTRALIA SHAME FACED

Marriage equality advocates are urging Australians with friends or family in Ireland to contact them and ask them to vote “yes” in tomorrow’s marriage equality referendum.

Australian Marriage Equality national director, Rodney Croome, said,

“A ‘yes’ vote in a traditionally conservative Catholic country like Ireland will reverberate around the world, especially in Australia.”

“If Ireland votes ‘yes’ Australia will be left shame faced as the only developed English speaking country which doesn’t allow same-sex couples to marry.”

“This will add momentum to the Australian campaign and very likely increase support in parliament.”

“I urge Australian marriage equality supporters with Irish friends and family to ask them to vote ‘yes’.”

The Australian spokesperson for the Irish ‘YesEquality’ campaign, Colm O’Callaghan, said the referendum holds out the promise of equality for Irish same-sex couples and for a better Ireland.

“Ireland has a remarkable opportunity to treat gay people with equal respect and to become a more equal and inclusive society generally.”

“To every Australian with a personal Irish connection, please jump on the phone or social media and ask your family members and friends to vote ‘yes’.”

“There has been a lot of fear raised about a ‘yes’ vote but it will simply give gay people the same rights to civil marriage heterosexuals have always enjoyed.”

Mr Croome scotched suggestions Australia should follow Ireland down the path of a marriage equality referendum.

“The Irish Constitution explicitly limits marriage to heterosexual couples and can only be changed by referendum, unlike Australia where reform entails changing just a few words in the Marriage Act.”

“The High Court has resolved that the Federal Government has the power to enact marriage equality legislation so there’s no need for us to spend millions on a referendum.”

For an article about the Austrlaian “YesEquality” campaign, click here.

For an article by Prof George Williams about why Australia doesn’t need a marriage equality referendum, click here.
Australian Marriage Equality national director, Rodney Croome