[Greens-Media] It's time for real equality - same sex marriage

[susan.pennicuik at parliament.vic.gov.au]

1 August 2008

It's time for real equality - same sex marriage

Greens MP Sue Pennicuik today called for law reform to allow for same sex 
marriage and a system of civil unions that are open to all people. 

"This Sunday I will be attending the Equal Love rally and Midwinta vows to 
be held on the steps of the State Library. The Equal Love campaign is 
calling for equal access to marriage in federal law by same sex couples 
and recognition of same sex domestic partnerships in law on an equal level 
with heterosexual couples," said Ms Pennicuik.

"I agree. To achieve full equality before the law any two people, 
regardless of sexuality or gender identity, should be able to be married. 
If they do not wish to be married but do want legal recognition of their 
relationship, they should have access to a civil union. Such a system 
nation-wide would provide full choice and full equality."

"The issue is equality and choice and equality of choice."

"This year we have seen the Commonwealth and Victorian governments take 
important and long overdue steps towards equality, but partial equality is 
not enough."

"The Federal Government still says that marriage is between a man and a 
woman, so it won’t amend the Marriage Act. However, if we want marriage to 
be a non-discriminatory, inclusive institution, then we can make it so. If 
we do not do that, then we are not fair dinkum about equality."

"In Victoria, a relationships register, open to same sex and different sex 
couples was introduced earlier this year. This is a welcome, if long 
overdue initiative, but it isn't enough. If the state Government is 
serious about equality, then it should legislate for civil unions and 
advocate for reform of the Commonwealth Marriage Act."

"Defenders of the current definition of marriage say that marriage must be 
exclusive to a man and a woman and is necessary for the raising of 
children. This does not reflect reality. Many people marry with no 
intention of having children or are unable to have. Many children grow up 
in stable and loving families with same-sex or opposite sex partners who 
are not married, and sadly there are children who are neglected and abused 
in families where their parents are married."

In Tasmania, the Greens have tabled a bill which would allow same sex 
couples to marry. They have received legal advice from George Williams, a 
prominent constitutional law expert, that the bill would not be declared 
constitutionally invalid, although he said that judicial determination of 
this question would depend on the facts of the case and the actual 
interaction between state and federal law in the context of these facts. 

The Greens will closely monitor the state Government’s progress in 
implementing the 93 recommendations made by Julian Gardner in the recent 
Equal Opportunity Review, and the report of the Exceptions Review when it 
is released. 

Contact: Sue Pennicuik 0407 000 270

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