ADVOCATES EXPECT A RUSH OF AUSSIE COUPLES TO MARRY
If you are an Australian couple and want to marry in the UK, please contact Rodney Croome on 0409010668. AME spokesperson, Ivan Hinton, will be available for comment at a media conference in the Senate court yard at Parliament House at 10.30am
Australian marriage equality advocates have hailed the passage of marriage equality legislation through the UK House of Commons by a vote of 400 to 175, saying many Australians will be embarrassed their country is falling further behind and calling on Australia’s political leaders to stop holding the nation back.
Australian Marriage Equality national convener, Rodney Croome, said,
“The majority of Australians who support marriage equality will be pleased to see such resounding support from a country with which we share so much, but this will be tinged with embarrassment that Australia is falling further behind and may soon be the only developed, English-speaking country without marriage equality.”
“The fact David Cameron has allowed a conscience vote increases pressure on Tony Abbott to do the same, especially given that a conscience vote is about personal freedom and marriage equality is about strengthening families – both principles which conservatives should support.”
“The UK vote also highlights how, by continuing to oppose marriage equality, our Labor Prime Minister, Julia Gillard, is not only out-of-step with her centre-left colleagues overseas, but even her conservative counterparts.”
“We call on both Tony Abbott and Julia Gillard to show leadership and stop holding Australia back.”
The Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill will now be considered in detail by the House of Commons before being sent to the Lords.
Mr Croome said when the law is finally passed he expects many Australians will either travel to Britain to marry or marry in UK consulates in Australia.
“Given the many British nationals who live in Australia we are likely to see a rush a couples to marry under the new legislation, including those couples who are already in UK civil partnerships and will be able to convert these to marriages.”
“It is sad that these couples will not have their marriages recognised under the law of the country they live in.”
Australian couples who intend to marry in the UK are available for interviews. Contact Rodney Croome for more details.
AME spokesperson, Ivan Hinton, will be available for comment at a media conference in the Senate court yard at Parliament House at 10.30am
For more information contact Rodney Croome on 0409 010 668.