Greens MLC Lynn MacLaren has welcomed the introduction of a state marriage equality bill in the ACT today, the first of bills across the country that will be pushed through at a state level as Liberal leadership makes no promises to push for equality federally.
“With state marriage equality now deemed completely constitutional by a recent NSW parliamentary report, there is nothing halting this push for equality across the states”, explained Ms MacLaren.
“I will personally be introducing a similar bill here in WA, so members of the LGBT community can be entitled to the same rights as everyone else in this state”.
“I introduced the last marriage equality bill in the state and the argument of it being unconstitutional has since diminished, I’m interested to see what argument those in opposition dream up next”.
With Kevin Rudd’s re-election promise of federal marriage equality now a thing of the past, Ms MacLaren emphasised that we must campaign vigorously to ensure our rights.
“There are more pressing issues to focus on now, this is such a simple piece of legislation, we have well and truly fought for long enough, the time has come”.
With the ACT bill looking likely to pass with strong support from both Greens and Labor, Ms MacLaren hopes Prime Minister Abbott acknowledges that this is an issue that is not going away.
“This is going to happen eventually, Mr Abbott needs to start acknowledging this as a relevant and important social issue that should not be ignored”.
Author: Nadine Walker
Publication: Greens Media statement
Date: 19 September 2013