Private Members Bills to Legalise Gay Marriage Introduced into Federal Parliament

Two private members Bills have been introduced into Federal Parliament (the House of Representatives) for the purpose of legalising gay marriage.

One of the Bills was introduce by Labor MP Stephen Jones the other by Greens MP Adam Bandt and Tasmanian independent MP Andrew Wilkie.

The Bandt /Wilkie Bill states its objectives as removing all discrimination from the Marriage Act 1961 and ensuring that all people, regardless of their sex, sexual orientation or gender identity have the opportunity to marry. This Bill will reverse amendments made to the Marriage Act in 2004, which not only continue to discriminate on the basis of sexuality and gender identity, but also explicitly prohibit the recognition of same-sex marriages entered into under the laws of another country.

Like the Bandt /Wilkie Bill the Jones Bill states its object is to amend the Marriage Act 1961 to ensure equal access to marriage for all adult couples irrespective of sex who have a mutual commitment to a shared life.

The reason advanced by Mr Bandt for introducing a second Bill is that “he believed Mr Jones' legislation would be voted on too soon and would end up being watered down, resulting in agreement on civil unions rather than gay marriage.” Read more.

Details, text and Explanatory Memoranda for both Bills are included in our LawOne Product and are available to subscribers now. If you are not a subscriber and would like a trial do not hesitate to contact us so you can keep up with this and many other important Australian Legislative developments