– ADVOCATES WELCOME S.A. UPPER HOUSE VOTE FOR MARRIAGE EQUALITY
– PROPOSED BILL WILL MEAN S.A. LEADS THE WAY ON MARRIAGE EQUALITY
– S.A. LIB SUPPORT FOR EQUALITY INCREASES PRESSURE ON ABBOTT TO ALLOW FREE VOTE
Marriage equality advocates have welcomed majority support in the South Australian Upper House for a marriage equality motion.
The motion, put forward by Labor MLC, Gerry Kandelaars, congratulated the New Zealand Parliament on achieving marriage equality and was passed 11 votes to 10 with the support of two Liberal members, Stephen Wade and Michelle Lensink.
Australian Marriage Equality South Australian convener, Harley Schumann, said,
“We welcome the co-operative, cross-party support which allowed this motion to pass and congratulate supporters of the motion for their thoughtful and heartfelt contributions.”
“The vote sends the message that South Australia is a progressive and inclusive community.”
Mr Schumann also welcomed a Bill allowing same-sex marriages at a state level, to be introduced tomorrow by South Australian Lower House member, Susan Close.
“The Bill would allow the South Australian parliament to achieve what it has just congratulated New Zealand for achieving”, Mr Schumann said.
“We look to South Australia leading the way on this important reform should similar legislation continue to fail in the federal parliament.”
Also tomorrow, the federal Senate will debate a Bill to allow overseas same-sex marriages to be recognised in Australia.
AME national director, Rodney Croome, said the fact South Australian Liberals were allowed a conscience vote puts pressure on Tony Abbott to to do the same.
“The fact that Liberal MPs voted for the marriage equality motion is a reminder that this reform has support across the political spectrum and should be subject to a cross-party conscience vote.”
Marriage equality motions have also passed the Tasmanian House of Assembly, the NSW Legislative Council and the ACT Legislative Assembly.
Marriage equality legislation was narrowly defeated in the Tasmanian Parliament last year and is pending in NSW, Victoria, Western Australia and the ACT.
For more information contact Harley Schumann on 0414 839 753 or Rodney Croome on 0409 010 668.