The City Council of Albury, NSW is planning to write to Liberal MP Sussan Ley urging for marriage equality.
The decision was made by vote last night, much to the delight of over 30 LGBT supporters watching in the gallery.
The motion means that the Council will also write to state member for Albury Greg Alpin to advise him of their support for the cause.
Councillor Ross Jackson shared with the council that he had been asked to table the motion by equal marriage advocates to ensure that people are treated fairly.
“The motion tonight is simply about equality, it’s about ending discrimination that exists within our community,” Mr Jackson said.
“It’s about changing law and given rights. It’s not about religion or anything to do with that.
“Australia is a free country and with that freedom should encompass all of our citizens.”
Local marriage equality advocate, Toni Johnson, shared her reaction to the decision.
“I think it’s wonderful the councillors took the time to listen to community members.”
“This will increase pressure on Sussan Ley by making it clear to her that the community wants marriage equality to happen.
“I personally know 25 to 30 couples in Albury who would marry as soon as they are able.”
Australian Marriage Equality deputy director, Ivan Hinton-Teoh, who attended the Council debate and shared his thoughts on their decision:
“Voices for marriage equality are becoming louder right across the country with communities finding all manner of ways to let their MPs know the will of their towns and cities.
“It was wonderful to see civic leaders stand up, one after another, speaking from the heart in support of their fellow LGBTI community members.
“Marriage may be outside a Council’s jurisdiction but marriage discrimination impacts the people councillors live amongst.”
Albury joins a number of other councils in NSW, Victoria and Tasmania that have decided to publicly endorse marriage equality and write to their MPs in support of reform.
Earlier in the year, Liberal MP Sussan Ley, who represents the electorate of Farrer that includes Albury, stated on the program Q and A that she didn’t think rural Australia was ready for same sex marriage. Australian Marriage Equality then worked with Albury groups Equal Love and Hume Phoenix to generate discussion on the topic. ore information available here.
