ACL 24th October 2013

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24 October 2013

High Court hearing into ACT Marriage Equality Same-Sex Bill begins tomorrow

NSW marriage supporters urged to contact MPs not to redefine marriage

Tasmanian lower house rejects voluntary euthanasia bill – again

Mark Brown on the Political Spot about rejection to Tas euthanasia bill

Anti-Slavery Australia Director Jennifer Burn on the Political Spot

Francis Sullivan on the Political Spot about calls for national approach for better child protection

Education Forum with Senator Scott Ryan in Brisbane

In the media – a wrap up of the last week’s commentary

For the diary – a selection of upcoming events

Staying in touch with ACL

Emotion can and does play an important part in political debate.

There were scenes of emotional outpouring as the ACT Legislative Assembly passed a so called marriage equality bill this week.

It is very difficult to argue counter positions against emotionalism without appearing heartless.

The federal government is asking the High Court to hear its request to overturn the ACT law before anyone gets “married” when eligibility kicks in early December. A directions hearing is expected tomorrow afternoon in the High Court.

The reality is that the ACT law, passed by just nine people in a 17 member assembly, undermines the Commonwealth’s constitutional power over marriage.

Sadly the ACT Government is prepared to use a deeply emotional issue for a small number of people as part of a broader political campaign to change Australia’s definition of marriage.

The talk in the assembly this week of transforming Canberra into a “rainbow city of love” where we had dismissed the “outdated legal institution” of man+woman marriage may all be short lived and a small number of people will be hurt.

As Canberra’s Catholic Monsignor John Woods wrote this week, marriage is about difference, not sameness.

The voiceless in this debate – children – intuitively have a deep longing for the difference that each of their biological parents brings to their lives.

Wherever possible, public policy should uphold this basic human right even in the face of strong emotional claims from adults.

Marriage has never been just about the love of two adults. It also exists to protect the deep emotional needs of a child and is the only institution that does this.

We should all get emotional about this.

Lyle Shelton
Managing Director

High Court hearing into ACT Marriage Equality Same-Sex Bill begins tomorrow

The High Court hearing into the ACT’s Marriage Equality Same-Sex Bill is expected to begin tomorrow after the Commonwealth lodged a writ of summons in the High Court challenging the law. The federal government says the bill is inconsistent with the Commonwealth Marriage Act and the Family Law Act. It’s requested the High Court to expedite a hearing into the legislation.

NSW marriage supporters urged to contact MPs not to redefine marriage

On Wednesday, the Sydney Morning Herald reported that same-sex marriage legislation will be debated in the NSW parliament next week. This comes as the ACT passed laws this week allowing same-sex couples to marry. It is important we persuade NSW parliamentarians to uphold the institution of marriage by voting against this bill.

Tasmanian lower house rejects voluntary euthanasia bill – again

Last Thursday, the Tasmanian lower house rejected a bill to legalise voluntary euthanasia in the state. The Voluntary Assisted Dying Bill, co-sponsored by Premier Lara Giddings and Greens leader Nick McKim, was defeated 13 votes to 11. Labor House of Assembly Members Michael Polley, Brian Wightman and Brenton Best joined the ten Liberals and voted against the legislation.

Mark Brown on the Political Spot about rejection to Tas euthanasia bill

Mark Brown is the Tasmanian State Director of the Australian Christian Lobby. In this interview with the ACL’s Katherine Spackman he discusses the Voluntary Assisted Dying bill which was voted down last week 13 to 11 votes after a 12 hour debate.