Australian marriage equality advocates have warmly welcomed official Scottish Government support for marriage equality saying it increases pressure on the Australian Parliament to support reform when it votes in the issue later this year.
The Scottish deputy first minister, Nicola Sturgeon, has announced the Scottish Government intends to forge ahead with plans to allow same-sex couples to marry independently of moves in the same direction by the UK Government of David Cameron.
Australian Marriage Equality national convener, Alex Greenwich, said,
“Rapid moves towards equality by the Scotland Government increase pressure on Australian politicians to follow suit, particularly given Australia’s close historical ties to Scotland.”
“The Scottish initiative also sends a strong message to the Australian Parliament that civil unions, which have been in place for seven years in Scotland, have failed to provide same-sex couples with full legal and social equality and are a failed experiment Australia should not replicate.”
Mr Greenwich said the Scottish initiative comes after a large-scale community consultation by the Scottish Parliament of the kind which have already occurred in Australia.
“Support for marriage equality is at the same level in Scotland and Australia so there’s no good reason Australia should be further behind on this important issue.”
“The only difference I can see is that there is stronger political leadership on this issue in Scotland than in Australia, and a greater willingness from politicians to act decisively on what the community wants.”
Marriage equality legislation is expected to pass the Scottish Parliament with a majority of Scottish MPs in favour of the reform, along with leaders of all political parties.
A press release from the Scottish Government can be viewed here .
Denmark recently legalised same-sex marriage and France is expected to pass reform early next year.
A full list of countries with same-sex marriage can be viewed here.
For more information contact Alex Greenwich on 0421 316 335.