Marriage equality law passes Australia's parliament in landslide vote
Source: The Guardian Australia
Australia’s parliament has legislated for marriage equality, passing a bill almost unanimously to allow two people, regardless of sex, to marry.
On Thursday the House of Representatives passed a cross-party bill after an unprecedented national postal survey gave unstoppable momentum to legislate the historic social reform.
Australia, which changed the law in 2004 to say that marriage is only between a man and a woman, now joins 24 countries which recognise same-sex marriage.
The lower house passed marriage equality with almost all members of the governing Liberal-National Coalition joining Labor, the Greens, and crossbench MPs in a free vote to pass the bill which cleared the Senate last week without amendment.
Read more: https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2017/dec/07/marriage-equality-law-passes-australias-parliament-in-landslide-vote
It took a few hours, as the RWingers dug in with proposed amendments which were aimed at allowing civil celebrants to refuse to marry same-sex couples. Every one was defeated, for once not just along party lines, with a number of government members crossing the floor to vote them down with Labor and the crossbenchers.
It was noted that PM Turnbull voted for the amendments, but there he was at the end crowing with delight as if it was all his own work.
At last this government, which has proved to be the most regressive I can remember, has managed to come up to date on something.
Now, if only they could come out of the 17th century in their attitude to refugees.
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But the one month waiting period isn’t just for same sex marriages. Anyone who wishes to marry has to give a one month notice of intent. So, at last, we’re all treated the same...
