- Boyce’s historic vote breaks the seal on coalition opposition to marriage equality
- Senate support for equality has in creased since 2012
Media conference: 12.45pm today, Senate court yard, Ivan Hinton, AME deputy director, and Greens’ Senator Sarah Hanson-Young
“Tony Abbott’s only choice if he is to avoid the perception of party disunity over this issue is to allow a conscience vote.”
– Ivan Hinton
Marriage equality advocates say the decision by a Liberal Senator to cross the floor and vote for a same-sex marriage bill is a turning point in the debate.
Queensland Liberal Senator, Sue Boyce, today crossed the floor to vote for a bill recognising overseas same-sex marriages, becoming the first federal Coalition member in Australian history to vote for the reform.
Australian Marriage Equality deputy national director, Ivan Hinton, said,
“We praise Senator Boyce for her historic and principled stand in defence of equality for all Australians.”
“Senator Boyce’s decision to cross the floor breaks the seal on Coalition opposition to marriage equality and is a reminder that there is passionate support for this reform across the political spectrum.”
“Tony Abbott’s only choice if he is to avoid the perception of party disunity over this issue is to allow a conscience vote.”
Mr Hinton said he is disappointed the Senate did not support the bill but said support is higher than ever before, with 28 Senators supporting marriage equality compared to 26 in August 2012.
“Support for this bill is higher than when the Senate last voted on marriage equality in August last year showing there is unstoppable momentum for reform.”
“Growing Liberal support for marriage equality at a federal level, plus the introduction of a marriage equality bill in the South Australian Parliament today, give us cause to be very optimistic about the future of marriage equality in Australia.”
Today, South Australian MP, Susan Close, introduced a bill in the state’s Lower House allowing same-sex couples to marry under state law.
It follows the passage of a motion through the South Australian Upper House last night congratulating New Zealand for achieving marriage equality. The motion was passed with the support of two Liberal MLCs.
According to the last Census at least 1,300 Australian same-sex couples are married overseas.
Advocates predict the number will increase dramatically once same-sex marriages begin in New Zealand the Britain later this year.
Fourteen countries allow same-sex couples to marry. Several countries, including Japan and Israel, recognise overseas same-sex marriages even though they do not solemnise such marriages themselves.
The Australian Government’s ban on issuing same-sex couples with the documents they need to marry overseas was lifted in February this year.
State marriage equality legislation was narrowly defeated in the Tasmanian Parliament last year. It is pending in NSW, Victoria, Western Australia and the ACT, and is expected to be debated again in Tasmania this year.
For more information contact Ivan Hinton on 0419 124 826 or Rodney Croome on 0409 010 668.
Author: Ivan Hinton
Publication: AME Media Release
Publication Date: 20 June 2013