Turnbull says US court decision will add to momentum for same-sex marriage
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Version 0 of 1. Malcolm Turnbull says the US supreme court decision that made same-sex marriage legal across the US will add to the momentum for marriage equality in Australia but Tony Abbott remains unmoved by the decision. Turnbull said: “There has been a remarkably rapid change in attitudes on this social policy issue and indeed now all of the English-speaking countries that we are closest to – Britain, Ireland, Canada, the United States, New Zealand, South Africa – they all allow gay marriage so the fact is there has been a sea change around the world. “The trend is only going one way ... my view is we should have a free vote and if there is a free vote, I would vote for gay marriage.” The leader of the house, Christopher Pyne, described the decision as “fascinating”. “When we come back in spring there’s every possibility that will be back on the agenda,” he said, adding that a vote should be held this year. But as opponents of same-sex marriage in the US vowed to move to Australia, Abbott said developments in Ireland and the US had not changed his views. “I note the US supreme court decision,” he said. “I haven’t had a chance to study it but, look, what happens in the United States is obviously a matter for the United States just as what happened in Ireland a few weeks ago is a matter for the Irish. Related: San Francisco takes pride in same-sex ruling but caution underlies celebration “As for our own country, obviously, there is a community debate going on. I have views on this subject which are pretty well known and they haven’t changed.” The US supreme court decision on Friday made same-sex marriages legal across the entire country in what may prove the most important civil rights case in a generation. Five of the nine court justices on the court determined that the right to marriage equality was enshrined under the equal protection clause of the 14th amendment. Rodney Croome, of Australian Marriage Equality, said he had been in touch with Coalition supporters of marriage equality who felt the court decision would have a positive impact of the chances of reform. “If the Irish vote made Australia’s failure to move forward on marriage equality embarrassing, the United States decision makes it untenable,” said Croome. “One of the reasons is because US supreme court is regarded as a relatively conservative court. It’s not a radical judicial body and this lends their decision increased credibility. “The principles of the American republic, which are admired by many Australian politicians, have now been extended to same-sex marriage; principles like rule of law, equality, freedom and the separation of church and state. “There are many Coalition members who have a strong interest in american politics and look to the United States for leadership on a range of issues and for those members this ruling will be quite interesting.” Supporters of marriage equality in the Coalition are expecting the vote will be debated in the Liberal and National party rooms in August when the parliament returns after the winter break. |