Today’s NSW marriage equality inquiry hearing was told that state civil unions are not a substitute for state laws allowing same-sex couples to marry.
Australian Marriage Equality NSW convener, Malcolm McPherson, said the marriage equality advocates who appeared before today’s hearing were all questioned on the issue of civil unions and all responded that they are not adequate.
“If there was a single take-home message from today’s hearing it was that states have an important role to play in the marriage equality debate by passing state same-sex marriage laws and that civil unions are not an acceptable alternative.”
Today’s hearing was part of the NSW Social Issues Committee’s inquiry into a proposed NSW same-sex marriage law, which is the first inquiry of its kind in Australia.
Other pro-equality witnesses included Australian Marriage Equality national director, Rodney Croome, PFLAG dad, Geoff Thomas, Baptist Pastor, Mike Hercock, Justin Koonin and Alastair Lawrie from the NSW Gay and Lesbian Rights Lobby and Nicolas Parker and Dean Price from ACON.
Mr McPherson also welcomed yesterday’s decision by the Byron Bay Council in northern NSW to support marriage equality by establishing a municipal-level same-sex marriage register.
“Local government has always played a vital role in the Australian marriage equality debate, from establishing the first relationship registers in the early years of this century to pressuring local MPs to pass state and federal marriage equality laws.”
“The important role of local governments in the marriage equality debate is a reflection of the closeness of local government to the concerns of the majority of Australians who want this reform.”
“We applaud Byron Bay Council for continuing to lead the charge on marriage equality and urge other councils to follow its example.”
For more on the Byron Bay decision go to:
http://www.byronnews.com.au/news/byron-council-votes-gay-bay/1791985/
For more information contact Malcolm McPherson on 0409 321 233.