Shane Rattenbury has made it known that it’s gay marriage a go go in the ACT at least until the High Court weighs in:
Leader of the Australian Greens, Christine Milne joined ACT Greens Member for Molonglo, Shane Rattenbury at the ACT Legislative Assembly today to celebrate the ACT becoming the first jurisdiction to legislate for same sex marriage.
“The passage of the Marriage Equality Bill is a landmark moment for this Assembly, for the ACT community, and for people across the nation who have been waiting so long to formalise their love through marriage but have been denied,” said Mr Rattenbury.
“Today the ACT, through the vote in this Assembly, says that we are a place that cares about people, cares about their human rights, and cares about equality and fairness.
“When you think about it, this is really a straightforward law expressing something that should be clear already. It simply says ‘love is love’, and the public and formal commitment of love is something that cannot, and should not, be restrained,” said Mr Rattenbury.
“I congratulate the ACT Assembly for this historic legislation. Last century discrimination has no place in our laws and the ACT is leading the way,” said Senator Milne.
UPDATE: Simon Corbell is getting in on the act:
People in a same sex relationship are now able to have their love and commitment to each other legally recognised in the same way that people in a heterosexual relationship are able to, after historic legislation was passed in the ACT Legislative Assembly today.
“Today’s Bill shows clearly and unambiguously that all people are entitled to respect, dignity, the right to participate in society and to receive the full protection of the law, regardless of sexual orientation,” Attorney-General, Simon Corbell, said today.
“This Labor Government has consistently advocated and acted to remove discrimination in our community and the Marriage Equality (Same Sex) Bill is another key example of this work.
“The ACT Government is disappointed, but not deterred, by the Commonwealth’s intention to challenge the ACT’s authority to make this law but this law is no threat to the Commonwealth’s powers under the Constitution or to the institution of marriage,” Mr Corbell said.
The new law will commence in time for the first same-sex weddings to be held before the end of the year, despite the Commonwealth Government’s announcement that it will challenge the ACT law in the High Court.
Marriages under the Act will begin in the same way as other marriages — with a notice of intention tomarry, accompanied by evidence of identity and age, given to an authorised marriage celebrant.
Marriages under the Marriage Equality Act will be solemnised by authorised celebrants, on any day, at any time and at any place in the ACT.
UPDATE: Andrew Barr’s tear soaked speech is also now available.