Greens push marriage for NSW
NSW Greens MLC Cate Faehrmann has given notice for a motion calling on the NSW Government to legalise same-sex marriage under state law if federal politicians fail to do so by 2012.
The motion notes, “Overwhelming public support for marriage equality in Australia [and] the growing number of jurisdictions overseas which have legislated for marriage equality including the Netherlands, Belgium, Norway, Spain, Canada and South Africa.”
It then calls on the NSW Government, “in the event that the Federal Parliament fails to legislate for marriage equality in 2011, to legislate to allow marriage between adults in NSW regardless of sexual orientation, sex and gender identity.”
Faehrmann, who holds the Greens GLBTI communities portfolio, said her preference was for the Federal Parliament to pass Senator Sarah Hanson-Young’s amendment to the Marriage Act.
“However, if the Federal Parliament fails to act in accordance with overwhelming public support, then the NSW Parliament should,” she said.
“Advice from constitutional law expert Professor George Williams indicates the states have the ability to enact marriage equality laws.
“If the bigger parties in Canberra let us down, then politicians at Macquarie Street should step up the plate.”
Faehrmann said the Greens were “extremely pleased” to see support for marriage equality growing across all states and territories.
“We will continue on with this campaign until all discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, sex and gender identity is removed,” she said.
“If necessary, the Greens will introduce a marriage equality bill in NSW to make this happen.”
Independent Sydney MP Clover Moore has also indicated she will introduce a state-based same-sex marriage bill into the lower house if re-elected.
Australian Marriage Equality National Convener Alex Greenwich praised the move.
“Having support and strong advocates for equality in both the lower and upper houses of NSW Parliament provides NSW with a real chance of being the first state to allow same-sex marriage,” he said.
“Cate Faerhrmann and Clover Moore are representing the views of a majority of NSW residents who support full marriage equality”.
Faehrmann’s motion comes as other state Greens parties are pushing same-sex marriage bills in Tasmania, Victoria, and South Australia, while the South Australian branch of the ALP voted in support of same-sex marriage at its state conference over the weekend.
The motion was put forward by a member of Rainbow Labor and seconded by openly gay Senator Penny Wong.
The Federal Greens are also seeking to remove the Federal Government’s power veto over the Australian Capital Territory so that it may set its own policy on issues including euthanasia and using official ceremonies to create same-sex civil unions.
Interesting Ben.
You have still not provided evidence that we are less or more monogamous then heterosexual people. And arguing for inequality, saying we only deserve Civil Unions as homosexuals are not able to be monogamous is a poor reflection of the Labor Party if they are stooping so low as to use people like you.
Please provide evidence, not lies. Explain why the major reason for divorce in infidelity? Come on Ben. I am so tired of the Labor Party stooges like yourself saying crap about people to support the party. Why oh why do you tell lie after lie.
You are an example of what is wrong with Labor. Putting policy ahead of people in the face of vile cruelty. You have all the cunning of a snake.
The facts are the Greens and the Sex Party and others have no issue with the sexuality of people.
@Dave – you don’t cope very well with differences of opinion.
Our relationships are not mirror images of that between men and women, we are not “just the same” as heterosexuals. And our relationships should have equal rights – but I dont want the constraints and expectations of a heterosexual institution to achieve that.
@Margaret
It is important to understand that Ben is a Labor Party Stooge and has even been arguing on the marriage forum we should have Civil Unions as most gay people are not able to be monogamous. We should never have marriage as only heterosexual people are able to be monogamous. I know it is bizarre to use homophobia to argue against equal rights by someone pretending to be Same-Sex attracted.
I am sure Alan Jones would be proud of Ben.
@margaret – all gay and lesbian reform has been delivered by one major party (ALP). Marriage reform will not occur without ALP support – and that requires a change in its policy.
A debate on same-sex marriage will occur at its party conference at the end of the year.
What I don’t understand is how can any one in the LGBIT community think the Liberal/Labor Party represent their interests.
The Greens are the only Party advocating for an end to all discrimination in parliament.
The blunt reality is Liberal and Labor are not progressive and are a shadow of each other.
Perhaps it may serve you well Rory to read the constitution of Australia if you did you would stop spreading this misinformation, Marriage is in fact a Federal responsibility to legislate.
A marriage celebrant in fact must be registered with the federal government and comply by the federal government legislation. The truth there is no debate without a foundation of truth and in the interest of truth may I suggest that the arrows be fired in the right direction. There is little use if every state in Australia legislates in favour of gay marriage it will make little difference without federal legislation, if you remember back when the republic debate was raging, Howard went out of his way to reinforce the marriage Act as being between a man and a woman, by doing this he attempted to stifle debate and in fact did so until the change of government even now the labour party does not have a hard and fast policy on gay marriage which allows the Greg Donnelly the freedom to vote the way he did wether you agree with him or not this is call democracy. In closing Rory you address my comments as if you sure I am against gay marriage when in fact all I was doing was drawing peoples attention to some facts also Rory the name is DON not Ron and I am the father of one of the most precious son in the world he is in fact gay so i am not in any way homophobic just a realest.
Yes, you’re wrong, Ron. The Greens identified marriage equality long ago as a fundamental question of justice and equality. There’s some debate about whether states have the right to legislate on marriage, and of course it’s not real equality as long as the federal law still discriminates, but all this “grandstanding” keeps the pressure on the bigots in Canberra, which can only help the cause.
I note that Cate Faehrmann’s motion was blocked in parliament by the ALP’s Greg Donnelly. He’s not using gay people as pawns, is he? Just kicking them in the head at every opportunity.
I thank the Greens for pushing Same-Sex Marriage.
States need to start advocating for Same-Sex Marriage if there is to be great pressure placed on the Commonwealth. Julia Gillard will find it more and more difficult to say no as time goes on.
I have always been of the understanding that the marriage laws where the Federal responsibility so if i’m correct then all this grandstanding by the greens and others could well be to no avail.
The sad part of this is that if i’m right Gay people are being used as pawns in some sort of sick political game to gain more votes?
Please correct me if i’m wrong.