Marriage equality advocates have welcomed a commitment from Labor and the Greens to oppose a national civil union scheme.
The commitment was released today by a coalition of gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and intersex (GLBTI) groups that have surveyed all parties on a range of GLBTI issues.
Australian Marriage Equality national director, Rodney Croome, said,
“Countries like the UK and New Zealand have moved on from the failed experiment of civil unions because second-rate recognition for same-sex couples can never be a substitute for full equality in marriage.”
“We welcome a commitment from Labor and the Greens to oppose a national civil union scheme because it means the federal parliament will be more likely to focus on marriage equality and less likely to enact second-class substitutes.”
Labor and the Greens have committed not to support a national civil union scheme until after marriage equality is achieved.
Some members of the Coalition have voiced support for a national civil union scheme instead of marriage equality, including Warren Entsch, Christopher Pyne, Joe Hockey and Josh Frydenberg.
Mr Croome said couples who do not wish to marry but still sought certification for their relationship can access state relationship registries which are currently available to 80% of Australians.
The Victorian and NSW Gay and Lesbian Rights Lobbies, Transgender Victoria and Organisation Intersex International Australia today released their 2013 election survey.
The results can be found here.
For more information contact Rodney Croome on 0409 010 668.
Author: Rodney Croome
Publication: AME Media Release
Date: 31 AUgust 2013