Political leaders have no more excuses for holding Australia back.
Australia now only Anglosphere nation without marrige equality.
Aussie won’t buy scare campaign against reform.
“If traditionally-conservative Catholic Ireland can endorse marriage equality, Australia’s political leaders have no more excuses for dragging the chain.”
– Rodney Croome
Advocates have hailed Ireland’s successful marriage equality referendum as a win for Australia as well as Ireland, saying Australia’s political leaders have no more excuses for “dragging the chain” on the issue.
Counting is still underway in Dublin but with the ballots counted so far indicating overwhelming support for marriage equality, supporters of reform are claiming victory and opponents conceding defeat.
Australian Marriage Equality national convener, Rodney Croome, said,
“Ireland’s vote for marriage equality is a win for Australia because it will increase momentum for marriage equality here.”
“It will inspire marriage equality supporters to work harder for reform, push more politicians to support it, and quash the myth that Catholics and other people of faith oppose marriage equality.”
“If traditionally-conservative Catholic Ireland can endorse marriage equality, Australia’s political leaders have no more excuses for dragging the chain.”
The Australian Christian Lobby has vowed to step up its campaign against marriage equality should Ireland vote ‘yes’, but Mr Croome said it won’t work.
“Churches ran a well-funded scare campaign which the Irish didn’t buy, and Australians won’t buy it either.”
Australia is now the only developed, English-speaking country that doesn’t allow same-sex couples to marry.
Australian Marriage Equality recently released figures showing marriage equality has the support of a slim majority of Senators and is only four votes short in the House of Representatives.
“The major obstacle to marriage equality is that government members are not allowed a free vote on the issue.”
“Ireland’s nationwide, cross-party support for marriage equality will send a message to the Australian Government that it must allow a free vote or risk isolating Australia yet more from the countries we are closest to.”
Mr Croome rejected the suggestion Australia should follow Ireland down the path of a referendum.
“A referendum would be costly, polarising and unnecessary given the High Court has already removed all constitutional obstacles to reform.”
“Given how close the numbers are in our parliament, any suggestion of a referendum is at best a diversion and at worst a delaying tactic.”
For an article by Australia’s leading constitutional academic about why Australia does not need a referendum on marriage equality, click here.
For further comment:
Rodney Croome on 0409 010 668
Ivan Hinton-Teoh on 0419 124 826
Shirleene Robinson on 0412 308 174
For comment about the Irish YesEquality campaign in Australia:
Colm O’Callaghan 0431 742 560
To speak to couples preparing to marry in Ireland contact Rodney Croome
Author: Rodney Croome
Publication: AME Media Release
Date: 23 May 2015