Australian advocates of marriage equality have praised the conservative Prime Minister of New Zealand, John Key, for declaring he will vote in favour of the reform when a bill is introduced into the nation’s Parliament. The news comes as a new poll shows support for marriage equality in New Zealand is 63%, a similar level to Australia. (Report here).
Mr Key’s support means that both leaders of New Zealand’s two major parties – the Labour and National parties – now support the issue. Draft bills for same-sex marriage are set to be introduced into the Parliament as early as next month.
Marriage equality advocates have called on Prime Minister Julia Gillard and Opposition leader Tony Abbott to follow the lead of their New Zealand counterparts.
“Australia’s political leaders are falling well behind their international counterparts on this reform,” said Alex Greenwich, National Convener of Australian Marriage Equality.
“Prime Ministers and Presidents around the world, conservative and liberal, have opened their hearts to marriage equality. Australians want our leaders to do the same.”
Mr Greenwich called on Federal Opposition Leader, Tony Abbott, to stop breaking Coalition tradition and grant a free vote on the legislation.
“If conservatives like John Key and David Cameron can support marriage equality, the least Mr Abbott should do is offer his MPs a conscience vote on the issue,” said Mr Greenwich.
A Galaxy poll commissioned by News Limited last month found that 77% of Coalition voters want Mr Abbott to allow conscience vote on the issue, and 61% of voters want to see marriage equality achieved in this term of government (details here).
CLERGY & ADVOCATES THANK SUNRISE FOR SUPPORT
Australian Marriage Equality has joined various clergy and nearly 40,000 Australians in thanking Sunrise for supporting marriage equality.
“Sunrise has their finger on the pulse of public opinion. Their support for reform represents the aspirations of a majority of Australians to make our country an equal and fair place for same-sex couples,” Mr Greenwich said.
A number of clergy – including Surry Hills Baptist pastor Mike Hercock, ACT Uniting Church minister Rev’d Roger Munson, and Victorian Anglican Priest, Prof Emeritus Rev’d Gary Bouma – have also praised Sunrise for its support:
“We thank Sunrise and marie claire for supporting the marriage equality campaign. Jesus preached a message of inclusion not exclusion,” said Rev’d Roger Munson.
This comes as the Australian Christian Lobby has made a formal complaint against the show to the Australian Media and Communications Authority (ACMA) for supporting the issue (full release and information here).
For more information contact Alex Greenwich on 0421 316 335.