Marriage equality advocates have praised the ACT Government’s commitment to follow Tasmania’s lead and enact marriage equality at a territory level.
The ACT Attorney-General, Simon Corbell, today announced his government is working closely with the Tasmanian Government to develop state and territory-based marriage equality laws.
Australian Marriage Equality national convener, Alex Greenwich, said,
“Mr Corbell’s announcement makes it clear that marriage equality will be achieved in Australia, state by state and territory by territory if that’s what it takes.”
“We applaud the ACT Government’s commitment to equality and the co-operative approach it is taking to the issue.”
The ACT Government is following the example of Tasmania whose Premier, Lara Giddings, recently announced her state will become the first to allow same-sex couples to marry.
The South Australian premier, Jay Weatherill, has also announced his support for state laws while the Northern Territory Government has said it will allow a conscience vote on the issue.
Debate begins this afternoon in the Federal Senate on marriage equality but it is uncertain if there is majority support in both houses of Federal Parliament.
Last night the ACT Government re-instated a civil union law quashed by the Federal Government in 2006.
Mr Greenwich said civil unions are not a substitute for marriage equality and he is pleased the ACT is now committed to providing its citizens with full equality.
For more information about the ACT announcement go to:
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-08-23/act-joins-tas-in-push-for-gay-marriage/4217754
For more information contact Alex Greenwich on 0421 316 335