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Same-Sex Marriage Debate! |
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News -
Australian News
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Written by Alex Greenwich
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Monday, 08 November 2010 01:30 |
Marriage Debate could move ALP National Conference forward / Tasmanian and Queensland Premiers indicate support
Australia's marriage equality advocates have welcomed support for marriage equality from Labor Cabinet Minister, Mark Arbib, as well as his call for the Party's National Conference to be brought forward to debate the issue.
AME has also welcomed support for equality from Queensland Premier and ALP National President, Anna Bligh, who has no been joined by Tasmanian Premier David Bartlett who says he is not opposed to marriage equality.
AME National Convener, Alex Greenwich said,
"Discrimination in the Marriage Act has a very real impact on tens of thousands of loving, committed couples and their families by perpetuating social exclusion, re-enforcing negative stereotypes of gay relationships, and creating significant legal hardships", Mr Greenwich said.
"These couples and their families deserve to have the issue dealt with as soon as possible, whether that be through allowing a conscience vote or bringing the ALP National Conference forward".
"Anna Bligh, Mark Arbib, Doug Cameron, David Bartlett and a number of other leading ALP figures understand this, and we now call on the Prime Minister to also open her heart and mind to the need for reform."
Two weeks ago Australian Marriage Equality released a Galaxy research poll showing 62% of Australians believe same-sex couples should be allowed to marry and 78% support a conscience vote on the issue.
At the same time it established a dedicated website through which 4000 people have already emailed the leaders of both major parties calling for a conscience vote on marriage equality.
Following the poll launch the ALP's opposition to reform was criticised by leading left-faction MP, Doug Cameron.
The Galaxy poll can be found at: www.australianmarriageequality.com/newopinionpoll.htm
The conscience vote website can be found at: www.freevote.org.au
For more information contact Alex Greenwich on 0421 316 335.
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