Australian Census to count same-sex marriages for the first time
For the first time ever, the Australian Census will count same-sex couples who are married. Australian Marriage Equality (AME), which lobbied for the new Census rules, has urged same-sex partners to take advantage of the fact they can now indicate they are married on Census night, Tuesday 9 August. AME has also produced a guide on how couples can completed the Census, which can be found at www.becounted.org.au . AME spokesperson, Peter Furness said: “We urge all same-sex partners who want to indicate they are married to take advantage of the fact that now they can.” More details here.
Joe Hockey declares 78% of youth support Marriage Equality
Shadow Treasurer, Joe Hockey, has used his newsletter to announce the results of a youth survey in his electorate that show 78% of young people in his electorate support marriage equality (details here). This result is inline with a recent galaxy poll that showed 80% of young voters Australia wide also support reform (details here). AME National Convener, Alex Greenwich, “We congratulate Mr. Hockey for voicing the youth’s strong support for marriage equality, and we call on him to include this in his parliamentary report back on marriage equality on August 24th”.
Civil Unions rejected by Rainbow Labor
Australian Marriage Equality welcomes the comments made by the Deputy ACT Chief Minister and spokesperson for Rainbow Labor, Andrew Barr, that Civil Unions are not a viable option. With reference, to the comments made by Labor backbencher John Murphy, Mr Barr Said “Civil unions, which Mr Murphy also mentioned, are not a viable alternative to full marriage equality. Wherever civil unions have been established around the globe, governments now face ongoing and accelerating campaigns for marriage equality. Frankly, civil unions here in Australia would simply see the call for marriage equality intensify,” (full release attached)
Parents Lunch with Attorney-General, who will deliver message to PM and Parliament
At a lunch held in Brisbane on Wednesday, the Attorney General, Robert McClelland, committed to sharing the heart felt stories of the parents of gay and lesbian Australians with the Prime Minister and Parliament. Shelley Argent, the National Spokesperson of PFLAG, said ” Parents from all over Queensland, including rural and regional areas, come to lunch to share their views on why their children should be treated equality and fairly by the Marriage Act”. The room included both Mums and Dads, ranging in ages from 45 to 82. “We greatly appreciate the undertaking that Mr McClelland made to share these stories with his colleagues, including the Prime Minister. All we want is for our sons and daughters to be treated equally by the law” Mrs Argent said. Further details here
Marriage Equality Advocates set mature tone for continuing debate
Advocates for same-sex marriage have called for people on both sides of the debate to focus on the values and concerns they have in common. At last night’s same-sex marriage debate at the University of Tasmania in Launceston, Tasmanian Gay and Lesbian Rights Group spokesperson, Rodney Croome, said: “Many people involved in this debate on both sides share a concern about the future of marriage and a desire to strengthen families… Let’s acknowledge what we share and on that basis build a more constructive and respectful public debate.” Mr Croome’s call was in response to a decision by three advocates against same-sex marriage to withdraw from the debate. Mr Croome said last night’s forum was “respectful and mature”.
Union leads the way on push for marriage equality
Australian Services Union members representing the community sector, local government, energy, finance, airlines and clerical and administrative workers unanimously resolved Tuesday night to support and campaign towards marriage equality in the lead up to the December’s ALP National Conference. A resolution was unanimously passed at the ASU’s Branch Council meeting on Tuesday 26 July 2011. “Marriage equality is about fairness. Unions have a long history of fighting for equal rights and fair treatment for all people. All positive changes have come about through people working together and speaking up for what is fair. The ASU is committed to working with others to achieve equal marriage rights for all Australians” Said ASU Branch Secretary Katrine Hildyard. Full details here.
ALP Reid Branch President “Appalled” at John Murphy’s comments.
Gina Wilson, who is the president of an ALP branch in Reid, said she was “appalled” to hear the comments from a man she had campaigned on behalf of. “It was incredibly discouraging to hear that my local member and federal representative would advise me to join the Greens rather than rely on him in seek equal rights,” Wilson told the Sydney Star Observer. Murphy called the upcoming opportunity for MPs to report back on their consultations with voters on the issue “insulting” as he consulted with constituents all the time. However Wilson disputed this, saying that she knew beyond a doubt that Murphy had sought neither the views of voters or ALP members in Reid, which includes the inner west suburbs of Concord, Strathfield, Burwood, Five Dock, Abbotsford and Drummoyne as well as Lidcombe and Auburn. Full report from the Sydney Star Observer here.
For comment on any of the above items please contact:
Alex Greenwich, National Convener, Australian Marrriage Equality Ph: 0421 316 335
Rodney Croome, Campaign Director, Australian Marriage Equality Ph: 0409 010 668
Shelley Argent, National Spokesperson, Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays, Ph: 0409 363 335
Peter Furness, National Secretary, Australian Marrriage Equality, Ph: 0425 848 723