NSW PARLIAMENT VOTES FOR SAME-SEX MARRIAGE / SUPPORT FROM COALITION MPS FOR GAY MARRIAGE MOTION ADDS PRESSURE ON ABBOTT / COMBET SUPPORT FOR MARRIAGE EQUALITY BOOSTS ADVOCATES’ HOPE FOR REFORM
Support from Coalition MPs has seen the NSW Upper House pass a motion from Greens’ MLC, Cate Faehrmann, in favour of allowing same-sex couples to marry.
Similar motions have been passed in Tasmania and the ACT, but this is the first time Coalition MPs have supported such a motion.
Australian Marriage Equality national convener, Alex Greenwich, said,
“We congratulate NSW Premier Barry O’Farrell for allowing Coalition MPs to vote in support of this motion in accordance with their conservative pro-family principles.”
“Today’s vote increases pressure on Tony Abbott to allow a conscience vote for the growing number of federal Coalition MPs who also support this issue.”
Mr Greenwich said the motion, which was passed by 22 to 16 votes, will send a strong message to federal parliament about the importance of marriage equality and is an important personal validation of his aspiration to be married under Australian law.
“The motion says to all federal parliamentarians that this is an important issue Australians want resolved.”
“It is also important for me as a citizen of NSW that my parliament has said my overseas marriage has every right to be recognised as a marriage in Australia.”
Mr Greenwich said today’s vote, as well as the recent decision by federal Cabinet minister, Greg Combet, to support marriage equality shows hearts and minds continue to change on the issue.
“As more parliamentarians open their hearts and minds to the issue support inevitably increases”, Mr Greenwich said.
“Mr Combet’s support for marriage equality is representative of Labor’s grassroots, his electorate and the views of a majority of Australians.”
Mr Greenwich said it is “a landmark moment” that more than half of federal Cabinet members – or twelve out of twenty two ministers – now support marriage equality.
The twelve federal ministers who publicly support marriage equality are Chris Evans, Simon Crean, Greg Combet, Stephen Smith, Anthony Albanese, Nicola Roxon, Jenny Macklin, Penny Wong, Peter Garrett, Tanya Plibersek, Mark Butler, and Brendan O’Connor.
In the a letter to a constituent Mr Combet has written:
“In line with my own values, as someone who has always fought for equality, social justice and fairness, I support marriage equality” .
For more information contact Alex Greenwich on 0421 316 335.