Australia Debates Same Sex Marriage

By Staff Writer, PinkNews.co.uk • February 22, 2008 - 15:50

The new prime minister's views on marriage equality are proving controversial

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Greens senator Kerry Nettle introduced a Valentines Day marriage equality bill to the new Australian parliament calling for recognition of overseas same-sex marriages and the ability to allow local ones.

Her party leader, Bob Brown, has united with Liberal Australia Capital Territory (ACT) senator Gary Humphries to condemn the new government's attitudes to the Territorial Government's civil partnerships legislation.

The new prime minister is said to have mixed views on allowing same-sex unions, having gone on record on the AM radio programme saying: "I have a pretty basic view on this, as reflected in the position adopted by our party, and that is, that marriage is between a man and a woman."

He does, however, support a national registry for both same-sex and opposite-sex partnerships.

There are concerns Ms Nettle's amendment may not get the opportunity to be debated given that her term expires in July.

"This is about highlighting the inequality that's there, and keeping the pressure on the Labour party," she said.

Last year, a Galaxy poll commissioned by GetUp found 53 percent of Australians supported marriage equality.

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