Australian advocates say New Zealand is likely to achieve marriage equality before Australia now that conservative NZ Prime Minister, John Key, has joined his Labour counterpart, David Shearer, in declaring his full support for reform. (Details here)
Australian Marriage Equality national convener, Alex Greenwich, said it is not too late for Australia to seize back the initiative but this will require the same kind of leadership from Julia Gillard and Tony Abbott that is being shown by their New Zealand counterparts.
“Many Australians will be deeply disappointed if we fall behind New Zealand on this issue, not least those small businesses associated with the wedding industry that will lose out when gay Australians start flying across the Tasman to be married.”
“John Key and David Shearer are sending a message directly to Tony Abbott and Julia Gillard – ‘join us on the right side of history’.”
Meanwhile in the US, the Committee drafting the Democratic Party’s national platform ahead of the 2012 election has unanimously agreed to include marriage equality as a plank in that platform. (Details here).
“That US politicians are so keen to endorse marriage equality, despite the fact popular support for reform is lower in America than in Australia, speaks volumes about how out-of-touch Australia’s politicians continue to be” Mr Greenwich said.
For more information contact Alex Greenwich on 0421 316 335.