Marriage equality advocates have called on those federal politicians who have supported marriage equality to oppose proposals for a national civil union scheme.

Australian Marriage Equality national convened, Alex Greenwich, said,

“Supporters of marriage equality must oppose civil unions because they are not a substitute for full equality.”

“We will campaign hard against civil unions because they have proven to be failed experiment and have only delayed equality where enacted. The international experience is that they are a step away from marriage equality rather than a step towards.”

“Any MP who values the votes of equality supporters, should today rule out supporting Civil Unions, a scheme that will only further entrench discrimination against same-sex couples”

The call comes as North Queensland MP, Warren Entsch, has said he will move forward with plans for a national civil union scheme.

Mr Greenwich said civil unions will diminish the growing momentum for marriage equality.

“Six MPs were in favour of marriage equality when it was voted down in 2009 and now it’s over 70 in both houses.”

“On that basis we are confident marriage equality is achievable, especially with the progress being made in a number of states, and we will oppose civil unions because they will block the path.”

“Mr Entsch is well intentioned but wrong if he thinks civil unions are the way forward.”

Click here for our paper, “A Failed Experiment: Why Civil Unions Are No Substitute For Marriage Equality”.

For more information contact Alex Greenwich on 0421 316 335 or Rodney Croome on 0409 010 668