Congratulations to the conservative government of New Zealand for allowing a conscience vote there.
I was so happy last night when I received a phone call telling me the MP’s across the Tasman had made such a progressive and positive decision, becoming the 13th country in the world to legalise a basic human right.
Only last week Uruguay made the same decision and it’s now on President Barack Obama’s to-do list.
Many people have asked me recently whether Jason and I would travel to New Zealand to officially tie the knot. The answer to that is ‘no’.
I have been campaigning for many years here in Sydney to have marriage equality laws changed in Australia.
After countless rallies, Mardi Gras and even the my own ‘illegal’ marriage on Sydney’s top rating 2Day FM, politicians in this country are still dragging the chain and refusing to reflect public opinion .
Last years vote against gay marriage in our federal parliament was a disgrace, as are Julia Gillard and Tony Abbott’s continuing comments opposing gay marriage.
Good luck to those who are going to New Zealand to get married, but remember you won’t be recognised as a couple under Australian law.
Jason and I have waited this long for change and we will continue to do so.
Hopefully the decision in New Zealand and other progressive countries will put more pressure on our MP’s who are looking increasingly isolated.
I look forward to the day when I can get married to my lifelong partner, Jason, here in my home country. I don’t think that’s too much to ask.
Unfortunately as the situation stands we have a Prime Minister that continually chants the mantra that marriage is between a man a woman, and an opposition leader who has been a staunch opponent, and at this moment in time won’t allow a conscience vote on the issue.
Unless something drastically changes between now and September the current Labor government is likely to be thrown out in a landslide, and that will leave us with a conservative government for at least 3 maybe 6 years
Wouldn’t it be ironic if a conservative government here, was also responsible for change?
Stranger things have happened!
Author: Geoff Field
Publication: The Stirrer
Publication Date: April 18 2013