Rodney Croome: Why another inquiry makes sense
Some people will inevitably ask, “why will there be another Senate marriage equality inquiry? Wasn’t the one in 2009 enough?” Unfortunately, the answer is “no”.
The community response to the 2009 inquiry was overwhelming – 11,000 submissions from equality supporters helped make it the biggest inquiry in the Senate’s history.
But the political response was decidedly underwhelming.
The final report failed to go into detail on key issues and ruled out marriage equality without giving any real reason.
It was a reflection of what both major parties thought of the issue back then – not much at all.
In the three years since, marriage equality has moved to centre stage.
Politicians are now pre-occupied by it.
Most importantly, marriage equality has in-principle support from the Labor Party.
This means the case for equality is much more likely to be judged on its merits.
It opens up the possibility that the inquiry will recommend reform.
But it’s not just the inquiry’s verdict that matters.
Comprehensive Senate reports can become valuable references for decision-makers on the key questions raised by a particular issue.
In the case of marriage equality these questions are clear.
Will churches be free to refuse to marry same-sex couples?
Are civil unions a realistic substitute for full equality?
Would the High Court would strike down marriage equality even if parliament supports it?
What are the tangible benefits of equality in terms of mental health, community inclusion, children’s wellbeing and respect for marriage?
What has the impact of marriage equality been in those places - which have more than doubled in number since 2009 – that have enacted it?
I know from my lobbying that these questions are particularly important to those MPs who are still conflicted about reform and whose support is essential if the law is to change.
The upcoming inquiry will go a long way to resolving their concerns.
A lot has been made about marriage equality failing if it is rushed through parliament, and of giving the Coalition the space it needs to support a conscience vote so that reform has a fighting chance.
But even without these political considerations, the upcoming inquiry makes good sense.
- Tags: ALP, Australian Marriage Equality, Blaze, gay marriage, High Court, LaborParty, Lberal Party, Marriage equality, MCV, Queensland Pride, Rodney Croome, same-sex marriage, Senate inquiry, SX
About the Author
Rodney Croome
Rodney Croome is a Tasmanian-based LGBTI rights advocate. His column ‘Croome With A View’ appears fortnightly. Visit his blog at rodneycroome.id.au.
Comments (2)
"Comprehensive Senate reports can become valuable references for decision-makers on the key questions raised by a particular issue."
So why did the last inquiry not make a useful report? It seems to have been in inverse proportion to the contributions it received. I keep hearing opponents of reform saying there are better issues to be spending government time on, yet they never speak out against the government spending much more time on half-finished inquiries or on independently legislating dozens of items in place of full civil equality.
Someone needs to ask the hard questions of why the last Senate inquiry accomplished nothing.
.................Someone needs to ask the hard questions of why the last Senate inquiry accomplished nothing..................
good question and a self indulgent exercise by the gay lobby to some in the wider community