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AUSTRALIAN MARRIAGE EQUALITY
Media Release
Wednesday April 17th 2013
New Zealand leaders put politics aside to achieve reform
Marriage equality advocates expect a flood of Australian same-sex couples will head to New Zealand to marry if the reform passes the New Zealand Parliament, as expected this evening.
Australian Marriage Equality national director, Rodney Croome, said over 1000 couples have indicated they will marry in New Zealand in response to a survey his organisation has been running since Friday.
“Most Australian same-sex partners would prefer to marry the person they love in the country they love, but now that marriage equality is only three hours away there will be a flood of couples flying to New Zealand to tie the knot and spend their money.”
“While the majority of Australians who support marriage equality will welcome reform in New Zealand, many will feel deeply embarrassed that our nearest neighbour has left us behind.”
“New Zealand’s leaders have put politics aside to pass this important reform and Australia’s leaders must do the same.”
Mr Croome said New Zealand will now receive a slice of the estimated $700 million Australian same-sex couples will spend on their weddings.
“New Zealand is set to reap a massive economic dividend from the wedding-spend of those Australian same-sex couples who are tired of their country’s failure to act.”
The final vote on marriage equality will occur in the New Zealand parliament this evening. It is expected to pass. Same-sex marriages are expected to begin in August.
A briefing note is attached.
For more information contact Rodney Croome on 0409 010 668.
MEDIA BRIEFING NOTE: NEW ZEALAND SET FOR MARRIAGE EQUALITY
On the evening of Wednesday April 17th the New Zealand Parliament is expected to hold the final vote on a bill to allow same-sex marriages. The Bill is expected to pass.
What follows are briefing notes for the media on the implications for Australia.
For more information contact Rodney Croome on 0409 010 668.
Arrangements for the Australian media
· Australian Marriage Equality has complied a list of couples across Australia who will travel to NZ to get married and are happy to talk to media. Please contact Rodney Croome on 0409 010 668 more information.
· If the Bill passes on Wednesday evening Australian Marriage Equality and key political supporters will hold a press conference in Melbourne on Thursday morning to respond. Details will be available soon.
Will Australians marry in New Zealand?
· Yes. There is no residency requirement in the New Zealand Marriage Act so Australian same-sex couples will be free to marry there.
· Australian Marriage Equality has conducted a survey since Friday asking Australian couples if they will marry in New Zealand. 1000 have so far said “yes”.
How has New Zealand achieved this first?
· Public support for marriage equality is the same in New Zealand as it is in Australia, 60-65%.
· The difference is that marriage equality has the support of the leaders of New Zealand’s major parties, including National Party Prime Minister, John Key, and Opposition Labour leader, David Shearer (see quotes below)
· New Zealand has had a civil union scheme since 2005, but it is little different to the equivalent state schemes that have prevailed in Australia since 2004.
How will this affect Australia?
· The world’s attention will be on New Zealand’s achievement, and Australia’s corresponding failure. This will diminish Australia in the eyes of the world.
· Australia will lose a proportion of the estimated $700 million same-sex couples plan to spend on their weddings, as these couples spend their money in New Zealand instead.
What have New Zealand’s leaders said about marriage equality?
“My view has been that if two gay people want to get married then I can’t see why it would undermine my marriage.”
John Key, 30.7.12
“I think it’s the reality of our times. It just effectively puts in place what’s already in existence.”
David Shearer, 26.7.12
What other countries have marriage equality:
· Argentina, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Iceland, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, South Africa and Sweden (pending in France, Uruguay and New Zealand, passed by the House of Commons in the UK).
· States and provinces include Connecticut, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Vermont, Washington, the District of Columbia, and several states in Brazil and Mexico
· The Australian states where same-sex marriage laws have been proposed are Tasmania, NSW, South Australia, Victoria and Western Australia.