After receiving extensive advice from some of Australia’s most eminent constitutional legal minds the ACT Government has decided to avoid further amendment and take it’s chances in the High Court.
Deputy Director of Australian Marriage Equality, Ivan Hinton, said, “The ACT Government’s refusal to acknowledge the flaws that exist in the current legislation is remarkable considering the quality of advice that has been provided. Brett Walker is recognised as Australia’s top constitutional barrister and George Williams is the most respected academic in the field.”
The minor amendments would have eliminated all potential points of conflict with the Federal Marriage Act. These amendments would have directly addressed concerns that had been identified by the Commonwealth’s Statement of Claim in it’s petition to the High Court.
Hinton said, “We know of hundreds of couples who have started making plans to celebrate their lifelong commitment to one another in our Nation’s Capital. The hopes and aspirations of these Australians and their families and friends now rest on a decision by the ACT Government to take it’s chances on a flawed law.”
“Being the first state or territory to enact these laws we had hoped that the ACT would do everything within it’s authority to ensure these laws survive. At this stage we do not have confidence that this is the case.”
“We call on the ACT Government to review it’s decision and hear the voices of the many couples whose main hope is for their wedding vows to last longer than the imminent High Court challenge.”
For more information contact Ivan Hinton on 0419 124 826
Author: Ivan Hinton
Publication: AME Media Release
date: 30 October 2016