[Greens-Media] Greens say WA can be next after Scottish pass same-sex marriage laws

[Walker, Nadine]

Greens say WA can be next after Scottish pass same-sex marriage laws
Media statement, Wednesday, 5 February 2014. 

Scotland became the latest nation to embrace same sex marriage yesterday joining Commonwealth nations including New Zealand, Canada, the UK, South Africa and another 12 countries globally where love is now equal. The Greens say Australia should stop watching from the sidelines and step up to take our place in the evolution of marriage.

Greens MP Ms Lynn MacLaren hopes that WA State MPs recognise Scotland's legislation as more evidence of 'an overwhelming change in perspective sweeping through the Western world'.

Late last year Ms MacLaren introduced a Same-Sex Marriage Bill in Western Australia. "The overwhelming vote in the Scottish Parliament to legislate for same-sex couples to get married in the country demonstrates that Australia is continuing to fall behind the times", explained Ms MacLaren. 
 
"Congratulations to Scotland for becoming the 17th country to progressively legislate equality and acceptance through allowing Scottish same-sex couples to marry, the overwhelming vote of 105-18 shows that this is clearly a no-brainer for MPs representing voters who view marriage as a human right, regardless of sexual orientation". 

"That overwhelming vote of 105-18 stands as an embarrassment to Australian politics where the vote for same-sex marriage has been met with resistance by MPs out of touch with the Australian view on the issue; hopefully we will not receive near misses this year as members move towards acceptance, echoing the people they represent more accurately". 
 
A 2012 Galaxy poll revealed 64% of Australians are in favour of same-sex marriage.

"Western Australia's opportunity to remove marriage discrimination for gay couples is upon us. I call on WA MPs to support my bill".


For comment: Hon Lynn MacLaren MLC
Mobile 0403 721 951

Media liaison: Nadine Walker
Mobile 0449 189 195

Office of Hon Lynn MacLaren MLC, Member for South Metropolitan Region
Legislative Council, Parliament of Western Australia
Unit 7, 142 South Terrace, Fremantle, Western Australia 6160
Tel 08 9430 7233
Nadine.Walker at mp.wa.gov.au   www.LynnMacLaren.org.au