Legalising same-sex marriage would give a billion dollar boost to Australia’s faltering retail and tourism industries.
As same-sex marriage becomes legal today in New Zealand, gay rights advocates warn Australia is exporting jobs by denying gay couples the right to marry here.
With the average Aussie couple now forking out $54,294 on their wedding – including honeymoon and rings – allowing gay couples to wed could see a surge in spending.
According to the national director of Australian Marriage Equality, Rodney Croome, more than a thousand gay couples plan to travel to New Zealand to marry.
“That’s already $54 million that will be lost to the Australian economy, and the longer Australia lags behind the move we will lose more,” Mr Croome said.
“By refusing to allow same-sex couples to marry, the Australian parliament has effectively exported millions of dollars in revenues, and hundreds of new jobs, to New Zealand.”
Weddings are big business in Australia, with 121,752 marriages each year generating at $6.6 billion in wedding spending.
The 2011 census identified 33,714 same sex defacto couples living in Australia, although the real figures could be much higher. Of these, surveys suggest around half would like to get married.
If they spent as much as heterosexual couples, this would generate $970 million in additional spending, providing a direct boost for Aussie retailers, bridal stores, florists, jewellers, hotels, venue hire, caterers and photographers.
According to the editor of Bride to Be magazine, Sarah Stevens, legalising gay marriage would provide a much-needed boost to an industry which includes many small businesses.
“Absolutely, legalising same sex marriage would be a boost financially for many Australian bridal businesses, which is a bonus in the current environment.”
After dipping slightly during the GFC, the average spend on weddings is growing again, nearly doubling over the past decade from $28,273 in 2001.
In addition to spending by couples, each wedding also generates significant retail spending on gifts by guests, with the average gift registry now worth around $5944.
Countries where gay marriage has been legalised have reported multi million dollar boosts to their tourism and retail industries and significant revenue for governments collecting registry fees.
New York City enjoyed a $US259 million boost to its economy in the first year after it legalised gay marriage.
Marriage also has other economic benefits for couples, leading to better financial security, better health and mental health and lesser dependency on welfare.
While fundamentally a human rights issue, Mr Croome said the economic arguments for gay marriage were also compelling.
“Talking about the economic impact doesn’t devalue the other reasons for reform. We all want the Australian economy to prosper and for jobs to be created.”
AUSTRALIAN AVERAGE SPEND ON WEDDINGS
2001 $28,273
2004 $36,234
2006 $39,114
2008 $49,202
2010 $48 296
2012 $54,294
THE COST OF LOVE: IT ALL ADDS UP
Engagement parties, bucks and hens $4386
Engagement and wedding rings $8269
Wedding dress and accessories $2558
Groom’s suit and accessories $629
Bridal party fashion $4110
Gifts for bridal party $479
Wedding day hair and makeup $1573
Transport $971
Photography and videography $4955
Ceremony $1539
Reception $11, 931
Cake $452
Flowers $1053
Stationery $628
Bomboniere $740
Decorations $743
Entertainment/theming $914
Music $1002
Honeymoon and wedding night $7362
TOTAL COST $54,294
Source: Bride to Be magazine, Cost of Love survey
Photo: Hagan Hopkins
Author: Jessica Irvine
Publication: news.com.au
Date: 19 August 2013