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Content about Australian family law

May 20, 2013
Gay marriage ban impacts on skilled migration, says Aussie former senator

Western Australia convenor of Australian Marriage Equality says that political leaders' resistance to gay marriage is bad for business

Former senator Brian Greig said that Australia's resistance to legalizing gay marriage is preventing much-need skilled workers from immigrating there.

'Our nation's increasing isolation on this matter is impacting recruitment and employment mobility,' wrote Greig in an editorial for Sydney Morning Herald.

April 9, 2013
Gay couples a step closer to full adoption rights in Australian state of Tasmania

Tasmania’s Lower House has approved a bill giving same-sex couples and unmarried straight couples the right to adopt on the same basis as married heterosexual couples

LGBT rights advocates in the Australian state of Tasmania have welcomed overwhelming support in its Lower House of Parliament for the passage of legislation removing a ban on adoption by same-sex couples, saying it is in the best interests of children.

This afternoon the Tasmanian Lower House voted 18 to 4 to allow same-sex couples to be assessed as potential adoptive parents on the same basis as other couples.

February 7, 2013
Christian Lobby worried Australian Opposition Leader may crack on marriage

The most prominent group campaigning against the granting of marriage rights to same-sex couples in Australia is sending out signals that it is not completely confident that Opposition Leader Tony Abbott will not allow a free vote on the issue

The Australian Christian Lobby has called on opponents of same-sex marriage to lobby Australian Opposition Leader Tony Abbott against allowing a conscience vote for his MPs in a sign that they are not completely confident that moderates within the Liberal Party will not prevail.

Abbott, a conservative Catholic who once studied for the priesthood, is one of the staunchest political voices against same-sex marriage in Australia, yet the Australian Christian Lobby today launched a campaign targeting him on the issue.

October 10, 2012
What’s next for gay marriage in Australia?

After national and state governments rejected same-sex marriage bills last month, Gay Star News asks Australian Marriage Equality what’s next

Last month same-sex marriage legislation was rejected by the two houses of the Australian federal parliament and in the state of Tasmania.

Gay Star News asks national convenor of lobby group Australian Marriage Equality what’s next for their campaign.

September 19, 2012
Gay marriage bill defeated in Australian House of Representatives

First marriage equality bill defeated in Australia’s House of Representatives, advocate says ‘more MPs have chosen the right side of history than ever before’

A vote on legalizing same-sex marriage in Australia has been defeated in the House of Representatives.

Forty-two MPs voted in favour and 98 against Labor MP Stephen Jones’ Private Members Bill.

Jones told marriage equality supporters to ‘maintain your rage’.

Both the prime minister Julia Gillard and opposition leader Tony Abbott, plus former prime minister Kevin Rudd, voted against the bill.

August 22, 2012
Third Australian jurisdiction to legalize same-sex marriage?

A third Australian jurisdiction has opened the door for the legalization of same-sex marriage at a state and territory level in an embarrassing slap down for opponents

Australia’s Northern Territory may become the country’s third jurisdiction to legalize same-sex marriage after the ruling Labor Party announced it would allow its members a conscience vote on the issue if such legislation came before the territory’s parliament.

Embarrassingly for opponents, the announcement was made by NT Labor to the main lobby group opposed to same-sex marriage in Australia.

June 25, 2012
Senate inquiry recommends legalizing gay marriage in Australia

Report from cross-party committee in Australian senate recommends passing Marriage Equality Bill

A report published today by a cross-party panel of senators has given the strongest official endorsement yet into legalizing gay marriage in Australia.

The legal and constitutional affairs legislation committee report has four recommendations, the fourth of which clearly endorses a change in the law to allow gay people to marry. It reads:

June 19, 2012
Labor MPs gather to obstruct gay marriage in Australia

Right-wing Labor MPs want to see an end to gay marriage

A faction of Labor MPs met last night to speak-out about the movement towards gay marriage in Australia.

The House of Representatives yesterday published an overwhelmingly positive report into two bills before parliament that propose legalizing gay marriage.

In response Labor MPs gathered to demand an end to the bills, saying support for same-sex marriage was bad for the party’s re-election chances in 2013.

April 13, 2012
Majority of Aussies say 'I do' to gay marriage

Christian likens gay marriage to incest at senate inquiry despite historic support for reform

A senate inquiry into legalizing gay marriage in Australia has revealed 'unprecedented' support for reform.

Figures released today (13 April) by the Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee show that almost 60% of Australians are in favor of allowing same-sex couples to marry, with 44,000 out of 75,000 submissions in favor.

January 17, 2012
Hugh Jackman supports gay marriage in Australia

One of Australia’s most famous sons pledges support for gay marriage

Hugh Jackman, and two other Australians associated with the movies - Oscar-winning costume designer Lizzie Gardiner and film critic David Stratton - have signed a pro-gay-marriage declaration from Australian Marriage Equality.