The UK has shown Australia that marriage equality can be achieved with cross-party co-operation, with strong assurances of religious freedom and with mature community debate
Marriage equality advocates say the UK has shown Australian political leaders how to achieve marriage equality. On 16 July 2013 the House of Commons agreed to amendments to marriage equality legislation made in the House of Lords, removing the final barrier to the reform becoming law.
Australian Marriage Equality national convener, Rodney Croome said,”The UK has shown Australia that marriage equality can be achieved with cross-party co-operation, with strong assurances of religious freedom and with mature community debate.”
“Most of all, the UK has shown that marriage equality isn’t as hard to achieve as many Australian politicians fear.”
“It’s now up to Australia’s political leaders to follow the example set in Britain and co-operate to achieve this inevitable and important reform.”
Mr Croome said the achievement of marriage equality in the UK will have a dramatic impact on the debate in Australia.
“The fact marriage equality was achieved under a Conservative Government increases pressure on Tony Abbott to remove the final hurdle to reform by allowing a Coalition consicence vote.”
“Because of the very close ties between Britain and Australia I expect to see a large number of Australians tying the knot under the new UK law.”
“Unfortunately, their solemn vows of lifelong commitment will count for nothing under Australian law.”
Same-sex marriages are permitted in the UK, New Zealand, Canada, thirteen US states and thirteen other countries. The only other developed, English-speaking country that does not yet allow same-sex marriages is Ireland.
A national Galaxy poll found 11% of Coalition voters are more likely to vote Labor because of Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd‘s, support for marriage equality, while 58% of voters believe Coalition leader, Tony Abbott‘s, opposition to marriage equality is out of step with community attitudes. 54% of young voters are more likely to vote Labor because of Mr Rudd’s stance.
The Queen is expected to give the marriage equality law royal assent later this week and same-sex marriages will begin in mid 2014.
For a summary of the Galaxy poll, visit ymlp222.net/zV7LmE
For a copy of the report, click here.
