At the start of the month there was much excitement about a minor change to the ways the Commonwealth can over ride the laws of this Territory.
While in theory it was about self determination it was mostly about gay marriage and euthanasia (with possibly some drug law reform if we ever get a government that isn’t gutless).
Today the other shoe has dropped with the Greens’ Shane Rattenbury getting gay marriage started again.
ACT Greens Attorney General spokesperson, Shane Rattenbury MLA, will table the motion which calls on Federal Parliament to amend Commonwealth laws to allow all couples to marry.
“The time has come for federal politicians to amend the Marriage Act to give all loving couples the chance to marry, regardless of sexuality,” Mr Rattenbury said.
“Most Australians agree that creating equal marriage is the right thing to do. Poll after poll shows this.
“Creating equal marriage would remove discrimination from the law and help Australia to foster greater acceptance of all couples in committed relationships, regardless of sexuality. In turn, this would reduce the aggression and violence that some people deal with.
“The best place for equal marriage law is at the Federal level so that the same scheme can apply in all States and Territories.
“I believe the ACT Assembly can send a clear message that this jurisdiction wants the Federal Parliament to change the laws. I am hopeful we will pass the motion and add this Parliament’s voice to the ongoing community campaign.
This follows Julia Gillard this morning announcing a conscience vote for her side of politics.
UPDATE: Hot on their heels Andrew Barr has announced his push in the Labor conference, and he’s not after some mealy mouthed conscience vote:
The Australian Rainbow Labor Network is calling on Labor national conference delegates to be on the right side of history and support a change to Labor’s national platform that will deliver marriage equality.
Rainbow Labor spokespersons, WA Senator Louise Pratt and ACT Deputy Chief Minister Andrew Barr said, “Rainbow Labor believes there needs to be a positive change for marriage equality in Labor’s national platform and we will continue our campaign for this change.”
“Rainbow Labor remains firmly of the view that matters of equality should not be the subject of a conscience vote,” Mr Barr said.
Labor has historically only permitted conscience votes on questions of life and death such as abortion and euthanasia.