Why wouldn’t Tasmania enact its own same-sex marriage laws? The reform helps strengthen families. It would be worth at least $100 million to the state economy. It’s our best chance to exorcise the ghosts of homophobia past.
Sometime in the second half of this year federal parliament will vote on one of three bills allowing same-sex couples to marry. Labor supports marriage equality but to save the Prime Minister embarrassment the Party also allows its federal reps a conscience vote. Unfortunately, Tony Abbott is refusing Coalition members the same right (yes, I too thought individual freedom was a Coalition principle, but apparently not when Vatican teaching is at stake). Our national leaders have rigged things so marriage equality faces an uphill battle. There is no guarantee is it will win this battle this time around.
Rodney Croome AM is the campaign director of Australian Marriage Equality.