Senate inquiry shores up ‘landslide support’
At least 45,000 submissions of support were sent to the Senate inquiry into a bill allowing same-sex marriage, advocates say.
The Senate inquiry closed yesterday and the Star Observer understands that supportive submissions well outnumber those against, although a final count is yet to be completed.
Australian Marriage Equality (AME) national convenor Alex Greenwich said the submissions reflected the diversity of Australian society.
“There are compelling and detailed submissions from Liberal and Labor MPs, from state premiers past and present, from small businesses, from mental health and legal organisations, from gay couples and their families and from many people of faith,” Greenwich said.
“There are also submissions from tens of thousands of ordinary heterosexual Australians for whom this issue has became a symbol of their aspiration for a fair and tolerant Australia where all couples and families are treated equally.
“What we have seen is a landslide of support not just for marriage equality but for a better Australia.”
Just before the 5pm deadline yesterday, Greenwich confirmed 28,000 submissions had been made through the AME website while another 17,000 had also been made via the website of activist organisation, GetUp!
This year’s submissions outnumbers the amount of pro-equality submissions made for 2009 Senate marriage equality inquiry by four to one. It also exceeds the next largest inquiry number of submission for a Senate inquiry, the Northern Territory Euthanasia Bill in 1997, by four times.
Greenwich said the number of submissions shows how engaged Australians have become on the issue.
“The number of submissions proves that active support for marriage equality has grown exponentially over the past few years,” he said.
“Australians don’t just support marriage equality, they support it passionately.”
Pro-equality submissions have been received from NSW Nationals MLC Trevor Khan, former NSW Labor premier Kristina Keneally, Wallabies rugby star David Pocock, screenwriter and director Stephan Elliott, Professor Kerryn Phelps, Justice Michael Kirby, Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore, and Tasmanian premier Lara Giddings.
Submissions also came from the Australian Psychological Association, headspace youth mental health organisation, the Australian Medical Students Association and the Australian Human Rights Commission.
Amnesty International and various legal centres joined a number of clergymen including dean of St John’s Anglican Cathedral in Brisbane, the Very Reverend Dr Peter Catt, in making pro-gay marriage submissions to the inquiry.
Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young welcomed the interest in the inquiry into her marriage equality bill.
“This is the most popular bill in the history of the parliament because Australians care deeply about marriage equality and wanted their elected representatives to know it,” Hanson-Young said.
“Australians have made their voices clear — now it’s up to parliamentarians from both sides to listen to them and act accordingly. Cupid does not discriminate in love and it’s time the Marriage Act was amended to reflect that.”
You May Also Like
I am glad we got such positive numbers :) Thank you everyone who took the time. I do hope that we have more support in the days to come, lets keep our chins up and keep on pushing for our rights, this was just one small step. :)
45,000 is barely the size of bundaberg. And australia has how many people? And your all jumping for joy of something not viable.
Make it at least 45001. I submitted one but not via Getup or AME.
Perhaps now a landslide of emails/letters to Tony Abbott ‘suggesting’ that he’ll allow a Coalition conscience vote?
Personally, I think the gays have dropped the ball.
45000 submissions on marriage, but how many people made a submission to a consultation earlier this year on religious exemptions to proposed federal anti-discimination legislation? How many even knew about that?
I guess its game on now. This is a serious competition now and we have every chance of making history with an historic change to the marriage Act.
We are powerful when everyone pitches in and helps. Well done to everyone who made a submission and encouraged others to do the same.
Lets keep up the momentum.
Bur are they actually reading the submissions or just looking at the figures. I made my Senate submission via AME but amended their pro forma and made my own explanation as to why I oppose marriage.
The House of Representatives survey was more straitforward, it just asked a few ‘yes/no’ questions and then asked you to give reasons. I look forward to those results.
The polls show the majority of Catholics support equality, so I am not suprised people made submission when asked to write on the subject by Bishop Prowse and Hart. Rather then pop a million fighting equality before the law for all citizens, perhaps a few Catholic Bishops could use the money to help victims of abuse, and get the Royal Commission up and running that so many victims are asking for, as they like so many have lost trust in the Church.
Now we need the politicians to do their bit.
I really want it to happen, but I’m prepared for disappointment.
What an amazing day. 4 to 1 – from last time this happened. There is hope :)
We can’t stop now thou, we must all speak to those same people who helped us with doing a submission – book in a time to see your local MP – and you can book into see any of your state’s federal senators – neither group is at all scary- just another person who needs to listen to many stories – I’m 22 and have been seeing them – trust me, its not that hard! :)
Even though having a submissions process on whether civil rights should be enacted is insulting, it’s great news that the pro-subs won out. It’s so easy for the fundies to flood these with their copy-and-paste shit (it happened in New Zealand) and barely literate prophecies of doom that read like serial killer letters.
I was shocked as the Co Convenor of Rainbow Labor Tasmania at the huge amount of everyday people in my electorate and broader communities that made contact to say they wanted to get a submission in had already done so or wanted a hand on how to show support! All I can say is this proves what most of us knew! Marriage equality is not a GLBTI community issue solely. It is an important issue for all tolerant educated and forward thinking members of this great nation.
Sophia Alex-Bailey
Rainbow Labor Tasmania
I thank the Archbishop of Melbourne for reminding everyone to submit to the inquiry