Same-sex marriage will remain on the federal agenda as the Greens pledge to reintroduce the Marriage Equality Bill on the first day of the new parliament.
Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young announced the resubmission of the bill on September 2 and said there had been genuine community consensus to have controversial discrimination removed from the Marriage Act.
‘The Greens are the only party in the Parliament with a commitment to delivering equal marriage rights for all, and we will push for this in the next parliamentary term,’ Senator Hanson-Young said.
‘Our commitment on this issue is second to none.
‘I will re-introduce my Marriage Equality Bill on the first day of the new Parliament, and will continue to pressure both sides of politics to grant their members a conscious vote on this important issue.’
As the Greens Spokesperson on sexuality and gender identity, Hanson-Young also said the Greens’ decision to support a minority Labor Government wouldn’t affect the ongoing campaigning for LGBT issues.
‘The fact that an agreement could not be reached with the Labor Party on equal marriage and other Green policy priorities does not preclude the Greens from continuing to promote these issues,’ she said.
‘In fact the agreement expressly notes this.
‘The arrangement around improved parliamentary processes ensures that minor parties and independents have more of an ability to strive for change.
‘This exciting new political terrain that we have entered ensures that with enough community support and parliamentary pressure, progressive outcomes for the good of the community can be achieved.’
The South Australian Senator first introduced the Marriage Equality Bill to the Federal Senate in January this year. It was defeated by 45 votes to five.
Since the election, the Greens have almost doubled their Senate presence.
Nine Greens’ Senators are expected in the new Upper House of Parliament when the new Senate commences in July next year.
Gay and Lesbian Equality WA spokesperson Kitty Hawkins said she was impressed the Greens were reintroducing the bill but concerned for its impact.
‘Unless there is a conscience vote on the matter, it will just be a repeat from earlier this year,’ she said.
‘As far as I can tell, even if it fails again, it will still be in the public eye.’
Hawkins said it was only a matter of time for same-sex marriage and hoped policy change could come in the next 12 months.
‘But that may be optimistic,’ she said.
Benn Dorrington
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