NSW marriage equality advocates hope NSW will be first state to pass same-sex marriage law.
Advocates launch campaign to convince MLCs to support Bill.
New South Wales marriage equality advocates have released advice from senior High Court barrister, Bret Walker SC, which confirms the NSW Same-Sex Marriage Bill is constitutionally valid.
The advice comes in the wake of reports that the Bill will be introduced and debated in the NSW Upper House on October 31st.
AME NSW co-convener, Dr Shirleene Robinson, said,
“After seeing the joy and happiness that accompanied the passage of reform in the ACT yesterday, it’s great that NSW is also moving ahead.”
“The advice we have from Mr Bret Walker SC is that our Bill is constitutionally sound, assuaging any concerns NSW MPs may have about their power to pass such it.”
“NSW same-sex couples shouldn’t have to travel interstate to marry but should be able to marry at home with their families and friends.”
“I look forward to NSW becoming the first state to allow same-sex couples to marry.”
Dr Robinson said AME has launched a campaign urging supporters of the Bill to call their local Upper House member. Details can be found by clicking here.
The advice from Bret Walker SC, co-author by constitutional barristers, Perry Herzfeld and Chris Young, makes it clear that the NSW Bill is framed to avoid any inconsistencies with the federal Marriage Act and is likely to survive a High Court challenge. It can be downloaded by clicking here.
Mr Walker is considered one of Australia’s leading barristers in constitutional law. He has also written advice supporting the validity of the Tasmanian Same-Sex Marriage Bill but has questioned the resilience of legislation passed in the ACT.
Earlier this year, New South Wales Premier, Barry O’Farrell, allowed a conscience vote for Coalition MPs and set up an inquiry that cleared the way for New South Wales to introduce its own marriage equality legislation.
A cross party working group, which included the National’s Trevor Khan, the Liberal Party’s Bruce Notley-Smith, Labor’s Penny Sharpe, the Green’s Mehreen Faruqi and Independent Alex Greenwich, was also formed to progress marriage equality legislation through New South Wales Parliament.
Further details:
Shirleene Robinson: 0412 308 174
Australian Marriage Equality – New South Wales branch
Rodney Croome: 0409 010 668
Australian Marriage Equality – national director
Author: Shirleene Robinson
Publication: AME Media Release
Date: 23 October 2013