Gay marriage push in Australia
[INTRO] Two bills calling for the legalisation of gay marriage were
introduced to Australia’s parliament Monday in a move campaigners said
would add momentum to the push for equality. The private member’s bills,
introduced by left-leaning Greens lawmaker Adam Bandt and Stephen Jones
from the ruling Labor party, take to three the pieces of legislation now
before the parliament calling for gay marriage rights.
Two bills calling for the legalisation of gay marriage were
introduced to Australia’s parliament Monday in a move campaigners said
would add momentum to the push for equality. The private member’s bills,
introduced by left-leaning Greens lawmaker Adam Bandt and Stephen Jones
from the ruling Labor party, take to three the pieces of legislation now
before the parliament calling for gay marriage rights.
Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young brought a similar bill in the upper
house in September 2010 which is now being examined by a legislative
inquiry.
None of the bills have enough support to pass into law but rights
campaigners said their introduction, which follows Labor’s reversal of
its official policy to pro-gay marriage in December, showed the tide was
turning.
“The Jones bill demonstrates the immense momentum behind reform,”
said Alex Greenwich, convenor of the Australian Marriage Equality lobby
group.
“Three months ago the Labor Party was officially opposed to reform
and now we have a Labor member leading the way towards equality.” He
described Monday’s events as a “milestone on the road to equality”.
Greenwich said rights advocates wanted both Jones and Bandt’s bills
to be examined by the Senate committee looking into Hanson-Young’s bill
so that “the best possible legislation can be developed and put
forward”.
Jones said there would not be a debate or vote for some months yet.
In Australia marriage is mandated by federal legislation, so although
civil same-sex unions are recognised in five states, the couples are not
seen as “married” by the federal government.
All the same, same-sex couples have equal rights with heterosexual
couples in areas such as pension schemes and medical benefits. Until
December there had been bipartisan opposition to same-sex marriage in
Australia and though Labor’s official platform has changed, the party
agreed to vote on conscience rather than in bloc, meaning there is
presently little prospect of legal change.
Prime Minister Julia Gillard opposes gay marriage, and the
conservative Liberal-National coalition has made clear that its members
will be expected to uphold the current heterosexual definition of
marriage if a vote is called.
“Our position is clear. We believe that a marriage is between a man
and a woman and that’s the way the Coalition will be voting,” said
Liberal frontbencher Joe Hockey. AFP
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