EQUALITY ADVOCATES SEEK TALKS WITH NEW AUSTRALIAN PM JULIA GILLARD

Australia's marriage equality advocates have written to Prime Minister, Julia Gillard, asking for an opportunity to put forward the case for reform.

AME National Convener, Alex Greenwich, said the 60% of Australians who believe same-sex marriages should be allowed deserve a Prime Minister who listens to their views.

"We are hopeful Prime Minister Gillard will be more open to discussing marriage equality than her predecessor, Kevin Rudd, and so we have asked for a meeting to put our case."

"Although Julia Gillard has previously opposed marriage equality we want an opportunity to appeal to her stated values of inclusion, fairness and equity."

As a sign of goodwill AME says it will call a temporary halt to its campaign of leafleting tens of thousands of homes in key inner-city Government-held electorates with the message that Labor does not support equality.

"If Prime Minister Gillard can show Labor is open to allowing same-sex couples to marry there is less need for our campaign."

In its letter to Ms Gillard AME has raised the possibility of discussing a conscience vote on marriage equality, and has asked Ms Gillard to implement the findings of last year's Senate inquiry into marriage equality.

The findings included a Law Reform Commission inquiry into same-sex couples and the law and the removal of the administrative barriers imposed by the Australian Government
on same-sex couples marrying overseas.

For more information contact Alex Greenwich on 0421 316 335