Outgoing South Australian Premier Mike Rann has used one of his final speeches as Premier to declare support for marriage equality, describing current discrimination in the marriage act as “unfair” for many Australian families. Mr Rann also used his speech to rule out Civil Unions as a valid alternative, describing them as a “timid” imitation.
Australian Marriage Equality National Convener, Alex Greenwich, has welcomed the Premier’s comments “Premier Rann’s evolution on this issue is representative of the journey many Australians have taken towards acceptance of marriage equality”
“Premier Rann has clearly spent much time thinking about and discussing the issue, and like all current State Leaders, he understands this is an issue about the core Labor values of fairness and equality”.
“The Premier also understands that negotiated half-measures, like Civil Unions, only deliver 2nd class status and entrench discrimination against same-sex couples” Mr Greenwich said.
The Premier’s speech was part of the Flinders University Investigator Lecture, at the Adelaide Town Hall. Further reporting here.
Incoming Premier Jay Weatherill has also declared support for marriage equality details here. All current Labor Premiers hav declared support for marriage equality (SA, QLD, TAS, ACT), as have all current Labor Opposition Leaders (WA, NSW, VIC).
Yesterday the Victorian Labor Party declared support for Marriage Equality (details here) as did Wallaby Rugby Star David Pocock (details here)
