Australia - Advocates for marriage equality have expressed a renewed sense of optimism following the release of the consensus report from the Senate Select Committee into the Government’s Draft Marriage Amendment (Same-Sex Marriage) Bill last night.
With Penny Wong declaring that “the clouds of partisanship have parted”, leading advocacy groups including Australians for Equality (A4E), Australian Marriage Equality (AME) and just.equal were quick to welcome the surprisingly united report.
The release of this report today means we are a step closer to marriage equality in Australia,” Co-Chair of Australians for Equality and Director of Advocacy at the Human Rights Law Centre Anna Brown said.
“Significantly, the report delivered a cross-party consensus on the issues that need to be addressed in the Marriage Amendment Bill including a number of sensible solutions to address concerns about religious freedom,” she said.
Co-Chair of Australian Marriage Equality, Alex Greenwich added: “A key theme of the consensus report is how to allow loving and committed same-sex couples to marry, while providing assurances around the protection of the religious freedom.”
“Marriage equality will not change anything for the vast majority of Australians but will make a profound difference to the status and dignity of LGBTI people.
Last year Attorney-General, George Brandis, issued draft marriage equality legislation that would have allowed civil celebrants to turn away same-sex couples on the basis of religious belief or personal conscience.
However, extensive research and polling has since shown 65% of Australians oppose such provisions, which increases to a staggering (but unsurprising) 90% in the LGBTI community. For PFLAG spokesperson Shelley Argent, who has been integral in commissioning recent polling, the latest senate report provides hope that progress is possible.
“I hope this is the start of rapid progress to the introduction and passage of marriage equality legislation,” she said.
“Our sons and daughters deserve to see a timetable for the introduction of legislation and a vote.”
“Our next step will be a major campaign to convince the Coalition to allow a free vote so legislation based on the Committee’s recommendations can pass.”
Rainbow Families welcomed the Consensus Report but said the organisation remained strongly opposed to any exemption that would allow civil celebrants and businesses to discriminate on the basis of a person’s sexuality or gender.
"This effectively would establish two tiers of marriage. Australian law should provide equal opportunity for all citizens while respecting religious freedom. These exemptions perpetuate discrimination by protecting it under Commonwealth law," said co-chair Vanessa Gonzalez.
“We’re pleased that parliamentarians across the political spectrum recognised that the exemptions proposed by the Attorney General would only deliver partial equality and that partial equality is not equality at all," added co-chair Ashley Scott.
With Penny Wong declaring that “the clouds of partisanship have parted”, leading advocacy groups including Australians for Equality (A4E), Australian Marriage Equality (AME) and just.equal were quick to welcome the surprisingly united report.
The release of this report today means we are a step closer to marriage equality in Australia,” Co-Chair of Australians for Equality and Director of Advocacy at the Human Rights Law Centre Anna Brown said.
“Significantly, the report delivered a cross-party consensus on the issues that need to be addressed in the Marriage Amendment Bill including a number of sensible solutions to address concerns about religious freedom,” she said.
Co-Chair of Australian Marriage Equality, Alex Greenwich added: “A key theme of the consensus report is how to allow loving and committed same-sex couples to marry, while providing assurances around the protection of the religious freedom.”
“Marriage equality will not change anything for the vast majority of Australians but will make a profound difference to the status and dignity of LGBTI people.
Last year Attorney-General, George Brandis, issued draft marriage equality legislation that would have allowed civil celebrants to turn away same-sex couples on the basis of religious belief or personal conscience.
However, extensive research and polling has since shown 65% of Australians oppose such provisions, which increases to a staggering (but unsurprising) 90% in the LGBTI community. For PFLAG spokesperson Shelley Argent, who has been integral in commissioning recent polling, the latest senate report provides hope that progress is possible.
“I hope this is the start of rapid progress to the introduction and passage of marriage equality legislation,” she said.
“Our sons and daughters deserve to see a timetable for the introduction of legislation and a vote.”
“Our next step will be a major campaign to convince the Coalition to allow a free vote so legislation based on the Committee’s recommendations can pass.”
Rainbow Families welcomed the Consensus Report but said the organisation remained strongly opposed to any exemption that would allow civil celebrants and businesses to discriminate on the basis of a person’s sexuality or gender.
"This effectively would establish two tiers of marriage. Australian law should provide equal opportunity for all citizens while respecting religious freedom. These exemptions perpetuate discrimination by protecting it under Commonwealth law," said co-chair Vanessa Gonzalez.
“We’re pleased that parliamentarians across the political spectrum recognised that the exemptions proposed by the Attorney General would only deliver partial equality and that partial equality is not equality at all," added co-chair Ashley Scott.
Source: gaynewsnetwork.com.au
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