· ALP’s Ian Hunter and Greens co-sponsor bill for SA Parliament
· Tas Greens Bill re-introduced, Tas Premier and Hobart Mercury support marriage equality
· Victorian Greens announce they will introduce bill, Vic ALP MP declares support, Vic Libs declare a conscience vote
· US State of Massachusetts gained a financial windfall for being the first state to legalise same-sex marriage
South Australia joins race for Same-Sex Marriage
Australia’s marriage equality advocates are welcoming South Australia joining the race to be the first state to allow same-sex marriages.
The South Australian bill will be co-sponsored by Greens MLC Tammy Franks and ALP MLC Ian Hunter.
AME National Convener, Alex Greenwich said, “With Ian Hunter strongly advocating for marriage equality within the South Australia’s governing ALP coupled with the support of the Greens, South Australia has a real chance to be the first state in the country to allow same-sex marriage’.
Tasmanian Premier David Bartlett has announced he supports Same-Sex marriage and his governing partners, the Tasmanian Greens, have already tabled their state-based same-sex marriage bill into state parliament.
The Victorian Greens have also announced, if elected, they will introduce state-based same-sex marriage into the Victorian Parliament. Victorian Government Minister MP Maxine Morand has indicated support for marriage equality while the Victorian Liberal Party will allow a conscience vote.
In the United States, the first state to allow same-sex marriages was Massachusetts. Studies show it received an economic windfall of US$111 million from same-sex weddings while members of the “creative class” (highly educated workers in creative industries) were 2.5 times more likely to move to Massachusetts after marriage equality than before (reports below).
It is estimated that Australia’s ban on same-sex marriage has cost the country an estimated $700 million dollars.
For further information contact Alex Greenwich on 0421 316 335
Links to USA Studies:
http://www.law.ucla.edu/WilliamsInstitute/pdf/MA_CreativeClass.pdf
tp://www.law.ucla.edu/WilliamsInstitute/pdf/BusinessBoost.pdf