Kevin Rudd has ousted Julia Gillard Australian marriage equality advocates are over-joyed that the US Supreme Court ruled in favour of the reform just hours after Kevin Rudd was elected Labor leader and is set to become the first Australian Prime Minister to support marriage equality. "The US Supreme Court's decision sends a direct message to Australian politicians that our law against same-sex marriage violates basic principles of equality and fair treatment and must be removed,” says Australian Marriage Equality national director Rodney Croome. The US Supreme Court has struck down a law preventing the federal government from recognising same-sex marriages from those states that allow them, and allowed same-sex marriages to resume in California. Croome says the decision has no immediate legal ramifications for Australia because there is no right to equality in the Australian Constitution, but he says it "sends a powerful message". "If and when the Australian High Court considers the constitutionality of a federal or state same-sex marriage law, the US Supreme Court decisions will provide an important precedent." "For now, the message is that denying same-sex couples the right to marry is a breach of fundamental human rights and dignity." Croome added: "With Kevin Rudd set to become Australia's first Prime Minister to support marriage equality a new chapter in the Australian marriage equality debate has opened. "As we have seen in the US, New Zealand, France and Britain, such high-level leadership is crucial to achieving this important reform. "Kevin Rudd's support for marriage equality will be a key point of difference with Tony Abbott, increasing pressure in Mr Abbott to allow a conscience vote and bringing marriage equality to the centre of the federal election campaign. "The majority of Australians who support marriage equality have two great reasons to celebrate today."
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Thursday, 27th June 2013 - 9:05am