Australia’s marriage equality advocates have renewed their push for reform as New Zealand moves inexorably forward and as the Greens accelerate their push in the Australian Parliament.
Australian Marriage Equality national director, Rodney Croome, said Australian MPs will meet with the adult children of same-sex couples next week.
“Children raised by same-sex couples have an important story to tell about how they and their families would have benefitted if their parents had had the option of marriage”, Mr Croome said.
“Children of same-sex couples are best placed to explode one of the key objections to marriage equality, that gay people can’t or shouldn’t raise children.”
“This is the first time adult children of same-sex couples have spoken to MPs and our hope is it will change minds and hearts.”
Yesterday the New Zealand parliament gave in principle support to marriage equality by an overwhelming majority, while the Australian Greens renewed their push for reform by bringing on a marriage equality bill for debate and a possible vote.
Mr Croome welcomed the renewed debate and called for the Bill to go to a vote before the September national election in the hope the Coalition will support a conscience vote.
“The majority of Australians who support marriage equality want the Coalition to allow a conscience vote, and a vote on this Bill before the election gives the Coalition another chance to make this commitment.”
“Tony Abbott has nothing to fear from allowing a conscience vote and a lot to gain, particularly among young voters for whom this is a signature issue.”
“A conscience vote is consistent with Liberal Party values like individual freedom and has growing support within the Coalition, including from the Young Liberals and from respected state Liberal premiers like Colin Barnett and Barry O’Farrell.”
In the week before the WA election, Premier Colin Barnett committed his party to a conscience vote on marriage equality.
Marriage equality has progressed in New Zealand and the UK because conservative parties in both countries have a conscience vote on the issue.
For more information, including contacts for the children who will be in Parliament House next week, contact Rodney Croome on 0409 010 668.