Rodney Croome . gay advocate

Mixed reaction to National Human Rights Report

This media release was issued by Australian Marriage Equality on 8.10.09.

Marriage equality advocates have given a mixed assessment of the National Human Rights Consultation report released today.

Australian Marriage Equality (AME) National Convener, Peter Furness, said: "We are pleased the National Human Rights Consultation Committee have recommended a federal Human Rights Act but are disappointed they have not come out more strongly on the right to equality and the right of same-sex couples to marry."

"Although the report recommends that the right to marry and form a family be included in a Humans Rights Act, it fails to say whether that right should be interpreted in the light of international law, which is sometimes construed as excluding same-sex couples. I would have much preferred the Committee to be clear on that point", said Mr Furness.

"The Human Rights Consultation Committee appears to be sympathetic to the cause of equal marriage reporting that it received 'moving submissions from people in same-sex relationships who are struggling under the weight of discrimination.'"

"But they seem to have been less clear in recommending whether such an injustice should be remedied through a human rights instrument."

The report concludes its discussion on equal marriage with a question posed by AME's campaign coordinator Rodney Croome at its final public hearing: ‘If a charter can’t deal effectively with the hard issues, what’s the point?’

"That question remains to be answered by the Government", said Mr Furness.


Further information:
Peter Furness
0425 848 723