Australian marriage equality advocates have welcomed news that the New Zealand parliament will soon vote on same-sex marriage, and say many Australians will feel ashamed that New Zealand may have marriage equality before their own country. (Full report here)
A Labour Marriage Equality Bill, selected for debate in the coming weeks, has the support of all major party leaders and has a good chance of passing with most of Labour’s 34 members and all 14 Green members expected to vote for reform. NZ’s Conservative Prime Minister, John Key, supports marriage equality and the support of only 12 National Party MPs is needed for the reform to pass.
Australian Marriage Equality national convener, Alex Greenwich, said,
“Unless Julia Gillard and Tony Abbott open their hearts and minds to the importance of marriage equality for couples, families, and communities, Australia risks falling behind New Zealand.”
“Many Australians would feel ashamed if their gay friends and family members had to travel across the Tasman to be considered fully equal members of society.”
Mr Greenwich said should NZ move to legalise same-sex marriage before Australia, it would receive a huge financial boost from Australian same-sex couples flying across the Tasman to get married.
“According to the latest census figures over 1300 Aussie couples have already flown as far as the Netherlands and Norway to get married.”
“Far more Australians would be prepared to make the 3 hour trip to New Zealand to marry”.
Mr Greenwich highlighted that New York State’s economy was boosted by $260 Million in just 12 months from allowing same-sex marriage and welcoming couples from around the world to marry (further details here)
The news comes as Scotland has confirmed it would progress with same-sex marriage legislation (details here). Mr Greenwich said that both New Zealand and Scotland have existing Civil Union Schemes that have failed to provide full equality for same-sex couples:
“The Scottish and NZ initiatives on marriage equality send a strong message to the Australian Parliament that civil unions, which have been in place for several years in both countries, have failed to provide same-sex couples with full legal and social equality and are a failed experiment Australia should not replicate.”
Denmark recently legalised same-sex marriage and France is also expected to pass reform early next year. A full list of countries with same-sex marriage can be viewed here.
A draft of the proposed New Zealand bill can be viewed here
For further information contact Alex Greenwich on 0421 316 335.