[Greens-Media] Greens move for Marriage Equality in Western Australia

[Hall, Sue]

Joint Media Statement: Hon Lynn MacLaren MLC  and Senator Sarah Hanson-Young
12 September 2012

Greens move for Marriage Equality in Western Australia

The Greens today advised the WA Parliament they will introduce a Marriage Equality Bill 2012.

The Bill will enable same-sex couples to marry in Western Australia. Like other Greens State Bills in Australia, it will authorise celebrants, establish a system of registration and provide for dissolution and annulment of same sex marriages.

"All eyes are on Canberra now, but our Bill stands ready in the wings so that Western Australians can enjoy marriage equality alongside residents in Tasmania and the other states who have already signalled their support for gay marriage," Ms MacLaren said.

Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young said, "We welcome the move being taken by Lynn MacLaren and the WA Greens to bring marriage equality to Western Australia.

"While Julia Gillard and Tony Abbott continue to stand in the way of marriage equality at a federal level, it is important for state governments to do all that they can to bring around this essential change.

"With the City of Perth's Pride Festival around the corner, it is timely to take one more step toward full equality," said Lynn MacLaren MLC.

"If all efforts at a federal level fail because Tony Abbott and Julia Gillard refuse to get out of the way of a reform the majority of Australians support, then I wanted to provide the opportunity at the state level to make gay marriage happen," Ms MacLaren said today after giving notice in the Parliament.

"Ultimately we want to see an Australia where people have the right for their relationships to be recognised on an official level, regardless of their sexuality, and Greens across Australia at a state and federal level are taking action to make this happen," Senator Hanson-Young stated.

"The Greens understand that all people, whether they are gay or not, deserve the rights of other Australians.

"Importantly, the Greens have received legal advice saying that state based marriage laws are not only lawful, but would withstand a federal challenge," Senator Hanson-Young concluded.

Media contacts: Lynn MacLaren 0403 721 951  Media Advisor to Sarah Hanson-Young, Noah Schultz-Byard  0427 604760