Greens ramp up marriage push
The Greens have begun the push for marriage equality in the House of Representatives, with the Greens MP for Melbourne, Adam Bandt yesterday giving notice to a motion he hopes will “take the temperature” of that chamber on the issue.
The motion, which Bandt hopes to have debated in November, notes that:
“There is a the growing list of countries that allow same-sex couples to marry including the Netherlands, Belgium, Norway, Spain, Canada and South Africa; and there is widespread support for equal marriage in the Australian community.”
The motion then calls on all parliamentarians to “gauge their constituents’ views on the issue of marriage equality.”
Bandt said the motion was intended to keep the issue alive until there is enough support to pass the Greens’ Marriage Equality Bill.
[poll id=”43″]
Bandt hopes that, as the motion does not bind the Government to an action, individual members of the parliament will be able to speak their minds.
“This motion will be an opportunity for members to express their personal view on marriage equality free from the requirement to abide with their parties’ positions on amending the Marriage Act,” said Bandt.
“We are heartened by reports from the recent meeting of the National Left that there is strong support for marriage equality inside Labor, there are likewise members of the Coalition who support our position.”
“It is time people had an opportunity to speak up and show their colours – if Labor members still believe in equality, and if Coalition members still believe in an individual’s freedom of choice, they should support this motion.”
Bandt said his party would continue to push for a conscience vote on the Marriage Equality Amendment Bill 2010 alongside the community.
Same-sex marriage has nothing to do with the Government. No one except the two people involved. The so-called ‘Marriage Act’ concocted by Ruddock and Howard is nothing but a bit of paper totally without value and yet our PM and the leader of the opposition think this useless bit of paper gives them the power to ban same-sex marriage. Think again.
Marie
Land of the “fair go” hey????
Kim-
I am not sure I trust Compas as taking an alternative opinion from the Australian Christian Lobby on Same-Sex Marriage is a bit like asking the Klu Klux Klan what do they think about Aboriginal Rights.
Having had my first partner bashed to death I do of course not want to give oxygen to Christian Hate Groups that vilify and encourage violence towards people simply due to their sexuality, or race, or different religious beliefs.
I believe Compas has often given a voice and platform to the Australian Christian Lobby who I believe has spread a lot of hate about people simply due to their sexuality and alternative religious beliefs.
I do not wish for others to go through the pain of what I have been through. I am sure you are well intended but the reality of what such hate groups use Compas for is clear to me.
Kim, good luck with the program. I’d just point out (in case you haven’t noticed) that many of the marriage promoters are caught up in the abstract and emotional. They crave the ceremony. The ritual. Nothing wrong with that, but why does it have to have a license issued by a government registry? So as to be equal with heterosexuals? And the worthiness of this is self-evident? I don’t think so. To me this is one very naked Emperor.
On the other hand, if we’re to be all airy-fairy and romantic, I’d quote a famous saying: “If you love someone, set them free.” Throughout the history of civilisation, across all cultures, marriage was never, ever about freedom.