Online campaign to drive NSW marriage equality

SYDNEY: A new website that calls on GLBTI people and their families to throw their support behind the campaign for state-based equal marriage laws has been launched by the NSW parliamentary cross party working group for marriage equality.

The NSWMarriageEquality.com.au site will allow supporters of same-sex marriage to have their voice heard ahead of a parliamentary inquiry into the reform early next year which is expected to report back by May. Supporters will also be able to connect to the campaign via social media such as Facebook and Twitter. 

Members of the working group, which comprises of Nationals MP Trevor Khan, Liberal MP Bruce Notley-Smith, Labor MP Penny Sharpe, Greens MP Cate Faehrmann and Independent MP Alex Greenwich, released a joint statement to coincide with the website’s launch today.

The MPs said the online campaign will help form a “united and strong” movement for equality in marriage laws.

“The working group will be asking for help during the inquiry and afterwards to ensure the bill has the best possible chance of success,” the statement reads.

“The working group believes that the best result for marriage equality would have been for the Federal Parliament to amend the Marriage Act 1961. But with the numbers as they are, this might not be possible for some time.

“Meanwhile, legal advice has indicated that the Commonwealth does not have exclusive powers to legislate in this area.

“In recent years, NSW parliamentarians have shown that by working together we can remove discrimination against GLBTI couples. Same-sex couples are now treated equally in every other area of NSW law. It is time to finish the job.”

For more information, visit NSWMarriageEquality.com.au