Marriage equality advocates have called on the Stanhope Government to introduce a full-blown same-sex marriage law following a decision by the Federal Government to give the territories more power to make their own laws.
Australian Marriage Equality national convener, Alex Greenwich, said it is now time for the ACT to move beyond the civil partnership scheme currently in place and allow same-sex couples to marry.
“Legislation allowing same-sex marriages is before the Tasmanian and South Australian parliaments and has been proposed in NSW and Victoria – it’s time for Jon Stanhope to fulfil has promise of equality to gay Canberrans by also moving beyond civil unions and allowing fully-fledged same-sex marriages”, Mr Greenwich said.
“We welcome the fact the territories will be freer to make their own laws, including a civil union law with a legally-binding ceremony if they wish, but civil unions are not and cannot be a substitute for allowing same-sex marriages.”
In 2006 an ACT civil union law was quashed by the Howard Government. In 2008, ACT Government proposals for legally-binding civil partnership ceremonies were watered down at the behest of the Rudd Government.
Constitutional experts such as Prof George Williams have made it clear that it is within the power of the states to pass laws allowing same-sex marriages.
Neither the ACT Government nor the ACT Greens have yet proposed allowing same-sex marriages in the ACT.
For a further report on the proposal to give more autonomy to the Territories click here
For George Williams’ views on state power to allow same-sex marriages click here
For more information contact Alex Greenwich on 0421 316 335.