Moreland City Council will lobby federal MPs to support marriage equality, including Wills Labor MP, Kelvin Thomson, who is yet to support the reform.
At its most recent meeting Moreland Council passed a motion in support of allowing same-sex couples to marry and committing to write to all local federal MPs and all federal parties urging them to do the same.
Convener of Wills for Marriage Equality, Shawn Callahan, congratulated the Council.
“Polls show Australians overwhelmingly support marriage equality, and as the tier of government closest to the people Moreland Council is sending a message to MPs like Kelvin Thomson that it is time to listen to what the people want.”
“As a Labor member in a socially-progressive seat Mr Thomson has no excuses for failing to support marriage equality.”
“I urge him to be on the right side of history and declare he will vote for marriage equality when it next comes before parliament.”
Australian Marriage equality national director, Rodney Croome, called on other councils to follow Moreland’s lead.
“Several Victorian councils have already taken the lead by passing motions calling on local MPs to vote for marriage equality, including Geelong and Yarra Cities and Surf Coast and Hepburn Shires.”
“I urge other councils across Australia to endorse marriage equality and do all they can to ensure their local member votes for the reform.”
A copy of the motion is included below.
For more information contact Shawn Callahan on 0410 346 343 or Rodney Croome on 0409 010 668.
Author: Shawn Callahan
Publication: AME Media Release
Date: 20 November 2014
CI101/14 MARRIAGE EQUALITY Cr Samantha Ratnam
Cr Ratnam advised Council that several Councils including City of Greater Geelong, Surf Coast Shire, Hepburn Shire, Hobsons Bay, Yarra City Council and City of Melbourne have recently passed resolutions to give their public support to marriage equality. This resolution is an important statement of support and advocacy for those who are denied the right to marry under current legislation.
Cr Ratnam moved, Cr Bolton seconded that Council resolve to –
- Publicly support marriage equality irrespective of sex or gender identity.
- Writes to local Federal Members of Parliament and the Commonwealth Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission advising them of council’s support; and
- Writes to all political parties with representation in the Federal Parliament encouraging them to prioritise debating changes to the Marriage Act and allow a conscience vote on marriage equality.
Carried
Extract from http://www.moreland.vic.gov.au/about-council/council-and-committee-meetings/council-meetings/ council-meeting-minutes.html
PROPOSED MINUTES OF THE COUNCIL MEETINGHELD AT THE COUNCIL CHAMBER, BRUNSWICK TOWN HALL, CORNER SYDNEY ROAD AND DAWSON STREET, BRUNSWICK ON WEDNESDAY 12 NOVEMBER 2014