Ahead of tomorrow’s release of a parliamentary report into the two marriage equality bills currently before the House of Representatives, equality advocates has said they hope the report reflects the views of a majority of Australians and deals with the concerns of opponents of same-sex marriage.
Australian Marriage Equality National Convener, Alex Greenwich said:
“Over 170,000 Australians voiced support for marriage equality through this parliamentary process and we hope the report will reflect this overwhelming support for reform.”
“We also hope the report will put to bed the unfounded concerns of opponents of reform, for example by highlighting that there will be no obligation for any church to marry a same-sex couple if they do not wish to.”
Mr Greenwich said he hopes the report will encourage more MPs to support reform.
“Once MPs realise they have nothing to fear from this reform, we are confident more will open their hearts and minds to the importance of marriage equality”.
Mr Greenwich called for the parliamentary debate to civil and respectful.
“This debate has a direct impact on couples and families across Australia and should be based on facts, not on fear”.
The report of the House of Representatives Social Policy and Legislation Committee inquiry into Stephen Jones Marriage Amendment Bill, and Adam Bandt and Andrew Wilkie’s Marriage Equality Amendments Bill, will be tabled tomorrow morning after 10am.
For more information contact Alex Greenwich on 0421 316 335.