Page 3491 - Week 11 - Wednesday, 22 October 2014
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video
We were honoured to have Yvette tell our story 12 months ago, and we’re honoured again that she’s asked for our thoughts again today. 12 months ago the ACT became the first Australian jurisdiction where gay and lesbian couples could have their relationship recognised as equal. We were proud then and we are proud today that the ACT did that. Its progressive and accepting culture is one of the many reasons we happily call Canberra home.
Same-sex marriages in the ACT were sadly short-lived. The decision by the High Court of Australia was disappointing, although we do respect that decision, and the judicial role the Court played in making that decision. The silver lining from that day was the confirmation by the justices that the Commonwealth Government would be able to legislate for marriage equality, avoiding constitutional challenges later on.
12 months ago, Australia was ready for marriage equality. Today, we’re still ready and we’re still waiting. In the last year friends, such as the United Kingdom, achieved marriage equality. In the United States marriage equality has spread like wildfire across the country, especially in the last month. We know many couples who have decided not to keep waiting for their homeland to make that decision, and to go to New Zealand, or to Britain, or the US, or to any of the many other places around the world that treat all relationships as equally important. We’re very happy for them being able to finally have their relationship recognised with the dignity and respect that it deserved. But it’s sad that they had to leave their own country because ours doesn’t yet do that.
12 months changes a lot. We’ve both grown as people. We’ve grown as a couple, even more in love and committed to each other. Australia has grown as a country too. But we still don’t have the equality that the vast majority of us believe in. That must change. The Federal Government has the power to protect all couples and to tell the world that as a nation we value all families, regardless of their makeup.
We again thank our territory representatives for standing up 12 months ago and saying that. Now we ask again that our federal representatives do the right thing and take the same stand.
That is just one of the personal stories amongst many. I am proud to know so many families who, in addition to their busy lives, find the time to care for one another while devoting time and effort to support the campaign for marriage equality.
Another couple that I spoke to last year provided their speech for me. I asked them to reflect on marriage equality 12 months on. Jess and Amy say:
All we can think of is in 12 months a lot has changed. We have had a baby. We have lost loved ones. The restaurant and cafe scene in Canberra has boomed and terrorism and Iraq are back on the radar, to name a few. But something hasn’t changed. We still can’t get married. I find it ridiculous that there are so many things that the federal government needs to do and so much money to be cut and redirected. Why would they waste time and resources and money taking the ACT Marriage Equality Act to the Court? Is discriminating against two women who love each of such a high priority in these turbulent times?
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video