AUSTRALIAN MARRIAGE EQUALITY
Media Release
Monday April 29th 2013
Anti-gay endorsement of referendum “confirms fears”
Marriage equality advocates have welcomed the rejection of a referendum on marriage equality by senior figures in the major parties, as well as a repudiation of the move by its proponent, Tony Windsor.
Australian Marriage Equality national director, Rodney Croome, said,
“The focus of marriage equality supporters needs to be on convincing the Coalition to allow a conscience vote, and convincing more Coalition and Labor MPs to support the reform.”
“I am confident Australians would vote ‘yes’ for marriage equality but I fear a referendum campaign would quickly become a platform for the kind of fear-mongering and hatred that damage the lives of gay and lesbian people and that have no place in this country.”
“I’m also concerned that the outcome won’t resolve the issue because a plebiscite on the Marriage Act won’t be binding and a referendum on the constitutional marriage power won’t change the Marriage Act.”
“In both cases we end up right back where we are now – with the issue in the hands of our politicians.”
Fred Nile: thinks the people should decide. Photo: Jon Reid
Mr Croome said that fact that only anti-gay campaigners like Fred Nile and the Australian Christian Lobby now support a referendum is telling.
“Support for a referendum from Fred Nile and the Christian Lobby just confirms my fears that anti-gay campaigners hope to use a national vote as a platform from which to spread myths and misinformation.”
A marriage equality referendum to coincide with the September election has been rejected by Opposition leader, Tony Abbott, Labor Finance Minister, Penny Wong, and Greens leader, Christine Milne.
After originally proposing the idea, Mr Windsor has now backed away from it.
For more information contact Rodney Croome on 0409 010 668.