Threat to marriage thwarted
Australian Christian Lobby - Newsletter
July 4, 2008
Traditional marriage came under attack from the Australian Greens on two fronts this week, with the Tasmanian Greens tabling a same-sex marriage bill in that parliament on Tuesday, and the ACT Greens tabling a bill in the ACT Legislative Assembly on Wednesday aimed at providing legal marriage-like ceremonies for same-sex couples.
The Tasmanian move was a repeat of action taken by the Greens in that State three years ago, with the then Government deciding not to debate the motion. Thankfully, the bill again seems unlikely to be successful.
Tasmanian Opposition Leader Will Hodgman has stated unequivocally that marriage is “an institution reserved for the bond between a man and a woman.” The Tasmanian Attorney-General David Llewellyn has also confirmed the Government’s position that marriage law is an issue for the Commonwealth, and therefore the bill will not be supported.
In the ACT, the Greens bill also seems to be meeting some roadblocks. It is trying to undo the gains made for marriage a couple of months ago when the Federal Government got the ACT Stanhope Government to back down in its push for legal ceremonies for same sex couples. However the ACT Government is well aware of the Federal Government’s commitment to protect marriage and does not seem to be embracing the bill in the way its backers might hope.
Media Contact: Glynis Quinlan: 0408 875 979
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