Marriage Equality

TO THE HONOURABLE THE SPEAKER AND MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

This petition of certain citizens of Australia draws the attention of the House to:

• the failure of the Commonwealth Marriage Act (1961) to allow marriages to be solemnised
between partners of the same sex;

• the failure of the Marriage Act to recognise same-sex marriages solemnised in other countries;

• the great harm this does to same-sex partners and their families by discriminating against them,
entrenching a second-class legal status, and perpetuating prejudice and stigma;

• the great harm this does to marriage by associating it with discrimination; and,

• the fact that an increasing number of other countries allow same-sex marriage, and most
Australians support it.

We therefore ask the House to:
• amend the Commonwealth Marriage Act so that marriages may be solemnised, and overseas
marriage recognised, regardless of the sex of the partners concerned.

» Contact Petition's Author