06-01-2015, 10:47 AM
Why is Australia So Far Behind the Times in Terms of Same Sex Marriage?
I asked myself that question when Ireland legalized it last week and that question is actually a headline on CNN today. Interesting read.
Snip:
More than 20 countries have now legalized same-sex marriage. Ireland's recent constitutional referendum vote in favor makes Australia look particularly backward in comparison with most other developed, English-speaking countries. Canada, New Zealand and the United Kingdom -- though excluding Northern Ireland -- have also introduced same-sex marriage.
The majority of American states now have same-sex marriage. The U.S. Supreme Court is expected to hand down a decision this year that may confirm whether same-sex marriage is constitutionally protected.
So, as Opposition Leader Bill Shorten introduces an amendment to the Marriage Act to legalize same-sex marriage, why has Australia lagged so far behind?
The question seems all the more perplexing because the Australian federal parliament has the power to introduce same-sex marriage. That means implementing same-sex marriage is a relatively simple matter in Australia -- unlike in the U.S., for example, where there were separate struggles to introduce it in multiple states.
Similarly, there is no marriage clause in the Australian Constitution that requires changing -- unlike in Ireland.
The answer to why Australia hasn't already introduced same-sex marriage partly lies in the way in which the issue has been exploited in Australian electoral politics.
Story: http://www.cnn.com/2015/06/01/opinions/a...-marriage/
I asked myself that question when Ireland legalized it last week and that question is actually a headline on CNN today. Interesting read.
Snip:
More than 20 countries have now legalized same-sex marriage. Ireland's recent constitutional referendum vote in favor makes Australia look particularly backward in comparison with most other developed, English-speaking countries. Canada, New Zealand and the United Kingdom -- though excluding Northern Ireland -- have also introduced same-sex marriage.
The majority of American states now have same-sex marriage. The U.S. Supreme Court is expected to hand down a decision this year that may confirm whether same-sex marriage is constitutionally protected.
So, as Opposition Leader Bill Shorten introduces an amendment to the Marriage Act to legalize same-sex marriage, why has Australia lagged so far behind?
The question seems all the more perplexing because the Australian federal parliament has the power to introduce same-sex marriage. That means implementing same-sex marriage is a relatively simple matter in Australia -- unlike in the U.S., for example, where there were separate struggles to introduce it in multiple states.
Similarly, there is no marriage clause in the Australian Constitution that requires changing -- unlike in Ireland.
The answer to why Australia hasn't already introduced same-sex marriage partly lies in the way in which the issue has been exploited in Australian electoral politics.
Story: http://www.cnn.com/2015/06/01/opinions/a...-marriage/