Advocates to push for recognition of overseas same-sex marriages
AUSTRALIAN MARRIAGE EQUALITY
Media Release
Thursday April 18th 2013
Marriage equality advocates say they will throw their weight behind a Green initiative to recognise overseas same-sex marriages in Australian law.
The move comes after the New Zealand parliament voted in favour of marriage equality last night, with predictions hundreds of Australian same-sex couples will fly across the Tasman to marry.
Australian Marriage Equality national director, Rodney Croome, said,
“When Australian same-sex couples who are married in New Zealand walk back through Australian customs their solemn vows of life-long commitment amount to nothing and they are considered legal strangers.”
“If federal parliament can’t yet allow same-sex marriages in Australia, the least it can is recognise the solemn vows Australians have made overseas.”
Today, Greens Senator, Sarah Hanson-Young, announced a Bill to remove that section of the Marriage Act which explicitly bans Australian Governments from recognising same-sex marriages.
Mr Croome said 1000 Australian same-sex couples have already responded to a survey circulated by Australian Marriage Equality saying they intend to marry in New Zealand.
Other countries that recognise overseas same-sex marriages without performing them domestically include Slovenia, Israel and Japan.
Mr Croome went in to urge Julia Gillard and Tony Abbott to open their hearts to those couples who simply aspire to be equal.
“Today is a day of great joy for New Zealanders, and of hope and inspiration for supporters of marriage equality in Australia.”
“New Zealand’s leaders have put politics aside and united behind this reform and we call on Australia’s political leaders to do the same.”
“In particular, we call on Tony Abbott to follow the lead of New Zealand’s conservative prime minister, John Key, and allow a conscience vote for the Coalition.”
For more information, and to speak to couples who will travel to New Zealand to marry, call Rodney Croome on 0409 010 668.