In response to reports this morning which indicate the Abbott government intends to challenge the ACT marriage equality law in the High Court, acting director of Australian Marriage Equality, Ivan Hinton, said,
“Based on the expert constitutional legal advice we have received and that was received by the recent NSW Parliamentary Inquiry into this issue we are confident that territory and state same sex marriage laws would withstand a High Court challenge.”
“Our confidence is shared with the ACT Government who have already declared that they would defend the law vigorously if challenged.
“It is imperative that George Brandis releases any advice he has received from the Solicitor General to allow for public and expert scrutiny before any action is taken”
“As a result of progress in Tasmania this week we are expecting further constitutional legal advice to be released that will further reinforce states and territories right to legalise same sex marriage.”
“We congratulate the ACT and all other states progressing with state and territory marriage laws and for seeking to deliver a reform that a strong majority of Australians believe in as it will strengthen couples, families, and communities”
“Regardless of what the Government says or does, we expect loving and committed same-sex couples from around the country to start celebrating their weddings on Australian soil this year in the ACT”
Mr Hinton also said that State based laws were being progressed in a number of States, with a number of coalition MPs backing reform in nsw.
To read the advice provided by eminent constitutional lawyer, George Williams click here: http://bit.ly/1aTK46y
For more information contact Ivan Hinton on 0419 124 826
Author: Ivan Hinton
Publication: Media Release
Date: 5 October 2013