Page 3507 - Week 11 - Wednesday, 22 October 2014
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It was significant and meaningful to be able to get married and for that short time we and our children felt we were recognised as equal citizens. Even though we were disappointed at the High Court decision, we will never forget the level of acceptance we felt over those few precious days. It was a euphoric time and we knew we were making history. It’s such a shame that the marriage was annulled—even though we still have the beautiful commemorative certificate!
This anniversary is an unfortunate reminder that the reality is that whilst much community support continues in terms of respecting our relationship—we still do not have true equality—and that hurts.
This is what Darlene and Liz had to say:
We were honoured to be able to marry on 7 December last year, and we will always remember it.
Just like any wedding, it was a wonderful day spent with family and friends, celebrating our life together. Perhaps the only difference between our wedding day and those of other people, was that we had more media. It was special, it was fun, there were cheers of celebration as we were pronounced legally married. It was really special to have our children, Frazer, Anna and Isobel, play a role in the ceremony. Liz’s 98 year old father travelled from Toowoomba with her brother and other family members. Darlene’s parents and others from her extended family came from Sydney. Friends came from many places, including Canberra, or sent messages of love and support; just like any other wedding.
That fact that our legislation was overturned in the High Court does not change the way these couples feel about each other or diminish the memories of their wedding days. Our actions in this Assembly showed these families and countless others that we believe they are equal members of our community, deserving of respect and equality before the law. The commonwealth’s challenge and the High Court’s decision were a setback, but not a defeat. The High Court rejected the notion of a fixed meaning of marriage. It held that the marriage power in the constitution allows the commonwealth parliament to make a law with respect to same-sex marriage.
Today we are calling on the commonwealth to remove the discrimination that exists in the definition of marriage in the commonwealth Marriage Act and to recognise the right of all committed couples to solemnise their marriage. I remain hopeful that the federal government will show leadership on this issue.By supporting this motion we are challenging outdated legal notions and meet our responsibilities to the people we represent to make sure that each and every member of the Canberra community is treated with respect and dignity. These are the principles that have brought us into government, they are the principles the majority of the community support, they are the principles of progressive government, and they are the principles of this motion.
I thank Mr Barr, Mr Gentleman and Mr Rattenbury for their comments on this motion and I commend the motion to the Assembly.
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