ACT Govt commitment to enact same-sex marriage welcomed

Australia’s marriage equality advocates have welcomed an announcement tonight that ACT Labor would introduce laws for same-sex marriage should they win the territory elections in October this year.

Speaking at a public forum for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender/transsexual & intersex (LGBTI) community, Deputy Chief Minister Andrew Barr committed the government to enacting the reforms.

Spokesperson for Australian Marriage Equality, Alex Greenwich, said:

“The ACT Government’s promise to introduce same-sex marriage laws shows that the momentum for this reform is unstoppable.”

“The states and territories have decided that where the federal government fails to legislate for marriage equality, the responsibility falls to them.”

Constitutional law expert, Professor George Williams from the University of New South Wales, has argued that a legal loophole allows the states and territories to enact same-sex marriage laws. (Factsheet here)

The ACT development comes one day after the Tasmanian House of Assembly passed a same-sex marriage bill. It will be debated in the Tasmanian Upper House in coming months.

For more information contact Alex Greenwich on 0421 316 335