– Call for ACT Government to consider re-legislating
– Advocates confirm Turnbull’s assessment federal reform possible under Abbott Government
Advocates say yesterday’s High Court marriage equality decision shows a clear path forward for the reform at both a federal and state level.
Australian Marriage Equality national director, Rodney Croome, said,
“The Court has removed the question mark which hung over the federal parliament’s power to pass marriage equality, re-igniting our campaign for reform at a national level.”
“We agree wholeheartedly with former Liberal leader, Malcolm Turnbull, that it is possible for marriage equality to occur under an Abbott government, as long as a conscience vote is granted.”
“With the formation of a cross-party working group on Wednesday we believe marriage equality at a federal level is possible.”
AME deputy director, Ivan Hinton-Teoh, who married his husband, Chris Hinton-Teoh, under the overturned ACT law, said that in the absence of a timetable for federal reform the states and territories should continue to endeavour to allow same-sex couples to marry.
“Constitutional experts such as Prof George Williams believe the High Court has left space for the states and territories to legislate for same-sex marriages in a different form.”
“I want to see the ACT build on its newly-minted status as ‘the Rainbow Territory’, and I call on the ACT Government to consider re-legislating after consultation with experts and the community.”
Yesterday, the High Court struck down the ACT’s Marriage Equality Act, effectively ending the marriages of about thirty same-sex couples who were the first to marry on Australian soil.
The ACT Government has so far said it will re-legislate for civil unions but not same-sex marriage.
Same-sex marriage bills have been tabled in five states, with the most recent being WA yesterday.
The federal Labor Party allows a conscience vote on marriage equality. Prime Minister, Tony Abbott, has previously said a Coalition conscience vote is a matter for the Coalition party room to decide.
For more information SMS Ivan Hinton on 0419 124 826 or call Rodney Croome on 0409 010 668.
Author: Rodney Croome, Ivan Hinton
Publication: AME Media Release
Date: 13 December 2013