Marriage equality advocates have welcomed a statement by Opposition leader, Tony Abbott, declaring there should not be first and second class Australians, but have asked why it doesn’t apply to gay and lesbian Australians.
Australian Marriage Equality national convener, Alex Greenwich, said,
“As long as we are excluded from a such core social and legal institution as marriage, gay and lesbian Australians are second class citizens under Australian Law.”
“Mr Abbott’s refusal to allow a conscience vote on marriage equality is creating exactly the kind of two-tiered society he says he opposes.”
“We welcome Mr Abbott’s commitment to the core Australian value of equality, but his commitment will be questioned as long as he maintains some Australians deserve equality more than others.”
In his address to the National Press Club today Mr Abbott said,
“As far as I’m concerned, there should never be first and second class Australians based on where they were born, how they worship, or the length of time their forbears have been here.”
For the original text of the speech click here.
For more information contact Alex Greenwich on 0421 316 335.