Gay marriage for Canberra

For broadcast on 2CH Sydney, 13 Oct 2013.

Another attempt to pass same sex marriage laws is underway in the Australian Capital Territory. If it is passed later this month, the ACT bill will allow same sex couples to marry in Canberra, whether resident or not.

It will also most likely be subject to legal challenge on constitutional grounds, or be overturned by the Prime Minister who can intervene in Territory law.  It looks increasingly as though he might need to do so.

Former Prime Minister Kevin Rudd recently lost an election with a promise to legalise same sex marriage within 100 days, and received the lowest Labor vote in a century.

The marriage debate is not about legalising so-called equal love. It is about redefining an institution that has deep significance for many Australians from diverse religious and cultural backgrounds. Australians have shown time and again that they do not view gay marriage as a significant justice issue.

I’m Rod Benson for the NSW Council of Churches.