The Greens have made good on a promise to
introduce a private member’s bill to allow same-sex marriage in Australia.
Senator Sarah Hanson-Young introduced the
Marriage Equality Amendment Bill 2009, which would grant Australian same-sex
couples equal marriage rights and recognise unions entered into abroad, in the
Senate. The bill seeks to remove all discrimination based on sexuality and
gender identity from the Marriage Act 1961.
In an accompanying speech, Hanson-Young
said the Greens believe discrimination espoused by the current Marriage Act
must be overturned to ensure freedom of sexuality and gender identity are
recognised as fundamental human rights.
Hanson-Young referred to a Victorian gay
couple, Jeff and Rodney, who had contacted her to say they are so determined to
marry they are forced to go overseas, only to have the marriage not recognised
on home soil.
“[We] urge that you pass this message on
to your colleagues in the House and Senate, and remind them that we are real
people, with real families, we pay real taxes and contribute to our community …
and we deserve equality,” the couple wrote.
A 30,000-strong petition, collected last
year in support of legalising same-sex marriage was also presented with the
bill.
“While last year we saw some historic
leaps and bounds in removing discrimination against same-sex couples within
this country’s federal laws, there was a glaring omission from that suite of
legislation: marriage,” Hanson-Young said.
“It’s well and truly time our Parliament
rights this wrong and legislates for true equality.”
It is the second time the Greens have
lodged an amendment bill on the issue — the last, which was unsuccessful, was
tabled two years ago by former Senator Kerry Nettle.
The Marriage Act was amended in 2004 by
the Howard Government, with the ALP’s support, to define marriage as a union
between a man and a woman only.
The Greens decision to move the bill has
been boosted by a recent Galaxy Poll, commissioned by Australian Marriage
Equality, which shows 60 percent of Australians support same-sex marriage.
The Greens bill would also repeal the ban
on recognising same-sex marriages entered into overseas.
“It’s ridiculous that a same-sex couple
married in Canada, for example, can step off the plane at Sydney International
Airport and have their marriage considered invalid,” Hanson-Young said.