Marriage equality advocates have dismissed moves for a national civil union scheme as “unnecessary, damaging and impractical”.
They were responding to reports that Coalition whip, Warren Entsch, and his government counterpart, Joel Fitzgibbon, are drafting a civil union bill because they believe legislation for same-sex marriage will fail.
Australian Marriage Equality national convener, Alex Greenwich, said “civil unions would prolong the same-sex marriage debate, not end it.”
“Civil union legislation is damaging because it entrenches a second-class status for same-sex couples, unnecessary because 80% of Australians already have access to state civil union schemes, and impractical because it would require referrals of powers from the states.”
“We already have a way to recognise loving, committed, and enduring relationships, and it’s called marriage”
“It makes no sense to bring this forward before support for marriage equality is tested in parliament following the senate inquiry, unless the aim is to take pressure off Tony Abbott and Julia Gillard over their opposition to a same-sex marriage.”
“The gay and lesbian community and our families overwhelmingly support marriage equality over civil unions, so all a civil union scheme will do is prolong the debate rather than bring it to an end.”
“We call on Mr Entsch and Mr Fitzgibbon to test their bill before the upcoming Senate marriage equality inquiry rather than rushing it in to parliament.”
Mr Abbott’s opposition to a conscience vote on marriage equality was challenged from two directions today.
Former Coalition Minister, Amanda Vanstone, said Mr Abbott’s opposition looks like “strong arm tactics” and said “it could cost him in the long run”.
Meanwhile, Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays have launched a national TV ad campaign demanding Mr Abbott allow a conscience vote.
“The ad shows that same-sex marriage will not only benefit couples, but also their parents and grandparents who understand marriage is about family”, Mr Greenwich said.
“It also highlights the absurd situation where the party that stands for individual freedom refuses to allow its members freedom to vote according to their conscience.”
A national study by the University of Queensland showed 80% of gay Australians support marriage equality while only 25% prefer civil unions, and that 78% of same-sex partners in existing state civil unions would prefer to be married.
For more information contact Alex Greenwich on 0421 316 335.
Reporting on the proposed Civil Union bill can be found here
Amanda Vanstone’s opinion piece on Tony Abbott and a conscience vote can be found here
Reporting on PFLAG’s new national ad campaign can be found here
PFLAG’s national ad campaign can be viewed here