[Greens-Media] Media Release: No obstacles for State Same Sex Marriage

[Mehreen Faruqi]

Media Release July 27th 2013
The Greens NSW Sexuality and Gender Identity spokesperson, Dr Mehreen Faruqi, has commended cross party work of both the Social Issues Committee and Cross Party Working Group, and urges the rest of Parliament to put politics aside and end marriage discrimination. Dr Faruqi is a member of the Cross Party Working Group drafting a State based Same Sex Marriage Bill.
Dr Faruqi said, "This report removes any doubt or obstacles that we can achieve constitutionally valid same sex marriage at a State level. This Inquiry paves the way for the Same Sex Marriage Bill, with a vote expected by the end of the year.

"The report recognises what The Greens and marriage equality advocates have been saying for years - marriage between two people who love each other is a human right.

"The report suggests that the Commonwealth Sex Discrimination Act makes it unlawful to discriminate of the basis of sexual orientation, "except as provided by the Marriage Act". There is no clearer statement that the Marriage Act is discriminatory.

"In his dissenting statement, Labor's Greg Donnelly claims that the federal Marriage Act is to "the benefit of all Australians". I say that it does not benefit same sex couples, or their friends and family who have to watch their loved ones denied their human rights.

"The Greens have consistently and strongly advocated to remove discrimination and pushed for marriage equality throughout our history, and it's time the old parties joined us. We are the only party unambiguously standing for marriage rights for same sex couples.

"Marriage equality shouldn't be a conscience issue. It's about removing discrimination from law. It's not good enough to allow a conscience vote on the human rights of others.

"Both the Premier and Opposition Leader have publicly backed marriage equality; it is time they called on their parties to do the same," Dr Faruqi said.

Media Contact: Dr Mehreen Faruqi, 0402 118 350