Australian marriage equality advocates have welcomed in-principle support for marriage equality from the Scottish Government.
Australian Marriage Equality National Convener, Alex Greenwich, said,
“Scotland’s leadership on this issue sends a strong message to the Australian Government that its opposition to marriage equality is out of step”.
“According to national polls, support for marriage equality is at least as high, if not higher, in Australian than in Scotland.”
“Australian same-sex partners are increasingly frustrated by seeing major moves towards marriage equality in other comparable countries but not in our own country.”
The Scottish Health Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, has initiated a consultation on allowing same-sex marriages.
She told the BBC, “In publishing the consultation today, we are setting out our initial view. We tend towards the view that same-sex marriage should be introduced. However, we are aware that for religious reasons, some faith groups and celebrants may not want to solemnise same-sex marriages, and that is why we are making it clear that they should not be obliged to do so.”
Mr Greenwich said Australian Marriage Equality agrees with the Scottish Government that faith groups should not be obliged to marry same-sex couples if they do not wish to.
Ms Sturgeon noted that support among Scots for marriage equality is 60%. Support in Australia has been found to be 60-68% with 75% accepting the reform is inevitable.
Following support for marriage equality from almost all Australian state and territory Labor conferences, the issue will be addressed by the Labor National Conference in Sydney in December.
For more information contact Alex Greenwich on 0421 316 335.