Gay marriage bid ‘cruel hoax’
A bid to legalise gay marriage in South Australia has been slammed as a cruel hoax and a political bungle.
Opponents say it fails before even starting on constitutional grounds, and even the MP behind the push concedes it is doomed.
Port Adelaide MP Susan Close introduced her same sex marriage bill today attempting to follow in the footsteps of New Zealand.
With Premier Jay Weatherill’s backing, she said state reform is necessary, but simple arithmetic is against her – she won’t get parliamentary support.
“I was quite disappointed,” Ms Close said.
“I’d heard rumours that that was the case but hoped it that it wouldn’t be.”
Some opponents agree with the principle, but accuse the Government of creating a cruel hoax.
The claim state Parliaments don’t have the power to legislate for same sex marriage.
“Dodgy bills passed at the state level could actually put same sex couples at real jeopardy,” Shadow Attorney-General Stephen Wade said.
“What happens if they try to dissolve a marriage?”
Family First MP Dennis Hood said: “We oppose gay marriage because we believe it is not in the best interests of children.”
The conservative Family Voice Australia group was delighted to see Ms Close virtually concede defeat.
“National law is quite clear, marriage has always been between a man and a woman,” Ros Phillips from Family Voice Australia said.
National reform has again been thwarted with the Senate today voting down same sex marriages performed overseas being recognized here.
