Two official reports have highlighted the issue of same-sex marriages in Australia.

On Tuesday the Australian Human Rights Commission released a report on discrimination against LGBTI people in which it said that the current ban on same-sex marriages violates Australia’s international human rights obligation.

Yesterday, a Senate inquiry recommended greater autonomy for Australia’s self-governing territories, which would make it easier for the Australian Capital Territory to enact same-sex marriage laws.

Australian Marriage Equality spokesperson, Alex Greenwich, welcomed the reports saying they are important steps towards by marriage equality.

“The Human Rights Commission has highlighted the fact discrimination in marriage is a human rights abuse and the Senate inquiry has affirmed an important way this abuse can be tackled”, Mr Greenwich said.

“Together the reports confirm that marriage equality is a cornerstone issue in Australian politics and will remain so until the Marriage Act is amended to allow same-sex couples to wed.”

According to the Human Rights Commission’s report into sexuality and gender identity discrimination

“The exclusion of same-sex couples from the legal definition of ‘marriage’ is key to their experience of discrimination and in contravention of Australia’s obligations under Article 2 and 26 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights”

The Senate inquiry recommendation follows a recent statement by ACT Chief Minister, Jon Stanhope, that he believes it is possible for the Territory to enact fully-fledged same-sex marriage laws, something that was confirmed in evidence to the inquiry by constitutional expert, Professor George Williams.

Attempts by the ACT Government to enact a civil union scheme with a marriage-like ceremony have been thwarted by successive federal governments that currently have the power to veto Territory laws.

62% of Australians support marriage equality according to recent polls.

Supporters are being encouraged to email their local MP through this webform.

For copies of the relevant reports go to:

Australian Human Rights Commission report

Senate Enquiry in self-governing territories

For the recent statement by Jon Stanhope about Territory same-sex marriage laws click here

For more information contact Alex Greenwich on 0421 316 335.