Advocates for marriage equality say a Senate inquiry into same-sex marriage will help navigate the issue through the current deadlock that would see it voted down if brought to a vote.

Labor has allowed its members a conscience vote but Tony Abbott’s refusal to allow Coalition members the same freedom means proposed marriage equality bills from Labor backbencher Stephen Jones and from the Greens are set for certain defeat.

Australian Marriage Equality national convener, Alex Greenwich, said an inquiry is necessary to address concerns among Coalition members about reform, as well as examine new research that has emerged since the last inquiry in 2009.

“It’s time for an in-depth inquiry into marriage equality that looks at key issues of concern for MPs including the protection of religious freedoms, the inadequacy of civil unions, the mental health impacts of discrimination and the impact of same-sex marriage overseas”.

“There was an inquiry in 2009 but that was when both major parties opposed the issue and the final report was brief and not very useful.”

“Three years on, far more countries have introduced marriage equality, far more compelling research has been done and far more is known about the positive impacts it has on marriage and on society.”

“A Senate inquiry will provide the time and the evidence required to win the hearts and minds of undecided Coalition and Labor MPs.”

“It is the winnable way forward.”

In 2009 the Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs committee conducted an inquiry into Senator Hanson-Young’s marriage equality amendment bill.

Since then the number of places that allow same-sex marriages has more than doubled, the American and Australian psychological associations have endorsed reform, and a range of studies into the social and economic impacts of reform have been published.

Australian churches have also raised concerns about the impact of marriage equality on their religious freedoms that were not addressed in 2009.

For more information contact Alex Greenwich on 0421 316 335.