NSW government fails to back marriage equality

The Attorney General John Hatzistergos in the NSW Upper House today announced that the NSW government will establish a relationship register that is open to all couples.

“The NSW government decision to back a relationship register is being used as cover to deflect attention from their failure to support marriage equality,” Ms Rhiannon said.

“A recent Galaxy Poll found 60 per cent of Australians support the right of all people to marry irrespective of their sexuality.

“The government’s relationship register is a second rate measure. All couples have a right to be equal before the law when it comes to having their relationship recognised.

“Labor’s decision that means marriage is still only available to heterosexual couples marks them out as an old party that can not keep pace with community values.

"NSW Labor would win support if they had found the courage to extend marriage rights to all couples.

“On the eve of the world famous Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade the Premier has demonstrated that she is out of step with community support for marriage laws to be modernised.

“The decision to go with a relationship register and not marriage equality puts NSW out of step with an increasing trend overseas to support same-sex marriage.

“The Netherlands, Belgium, Spain, Canada, South Africa, Norway, Portugal, Nepal and Sweden recognise same-sex marriage.

“In the federal parliament Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young has introduced the Marriage Equality Amendment Bill to legislate for marriage rights for all couples.

“Senator Hanson-Young’s Bill provides a way forward for on this critical human rights issue,” Ms Rhiannon said.