Marriage Bills

Lachlan Dunjey from Choose Life Australia explains why marriage is so important in a new article ‘Why the battle for marriage is so significant’

The House of Representatives Standing Committee on Social Policy and Legal Affairs is holding an inquiry into the Marriage Equality Amendment Bill 2012 (introduced by Labor MP Stephen Jones)  and the Marriage Amendment Bill 2012 (introduced by Greens MP Adam Bandt).

The two bills amend the Marriage Act 1961 to legalise homosexual marriage and to recognise homosexual marriages performed in foreign countries. It will substitute the words “a man and a woman” with the words “two people” 

The closing date for public responses was 20 April 2012. The report is expected to be tabled on 18 June 2012. 

In addition, on 8 February 2012 the Senate referred the Marriage Equality Amendment Bill 2010 for inquiry and report.

This private senator’s bill was introduced by Senator Hanson-Young.

The Submissions period closed 2 April 2012 and the reporting date for the inquiry is 6 June 2012. The committee received 75,000 submissions, approx 44,000 support the bill, 31, 000 oppose the bill.

For submissions, including from Yvonne Henderson, Commissioner for Equal Opportunity, the Australian Christian Lobby, Tasmanian Premier Lara Giddings, Endeavour Forum, Saltshakers, the Association for Reformed Political Action (submission 118) click here.

For more on the inquiry: click here

Action: The Association for Reformed Political Action and Saltshakers is calling on people to write to their Federal MPs asking them to reject any moves by their party to introduce homosexual marriage by changing the Marriage Act.

Action: Bill Muehlenberg, from Culturewatch asks people to write to Tony Abbott encouraging him to stand strong. His email address is: Tony.Abbott.MP@aph.gov.au

Action: www.MakeAStand.org.au is asking people to write a letter to their local MP. As at 2 May 2012 24,741 had used this service.

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POSTED 4 May 2012
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WA and Tassie Prostitution Bills

A compromised bill is expected to go through the WA Parliament in the second half of May. It will most likely include a sunset clause which will legalise prostitution, which is currently legal, for five years before making it illegal again.

Action: people are encouraged to speak to their Labor Members of parliament urging them to maintain their opposition to the bill and any move to introduce a sunset clause. Speak also to Liberal members who are supporting the sunset clause.

Tasmania Prostitution Paper

Meanwhile in Tasmania, the Attorney General Brian Wightman released a discussion paper on the Regulation of the Sex Industry. For more info and discussion paper click here.

Action: the Australian Christian Lobby, Association for Reformed Political Action, Saltshakers and other organisations say it is a good time to write to local MPs in WA and Tasmania.

Action: The ACL’s Make a Stand Website has launched the “Women are worth more” campaign for Tasmania in addition to the WA campaign of the same name. Send your local MP a letter using the Make a Stand website.

In the WA campaign as at 2 May 2012, 1216 people had sent a letter to their MP using this service.

In the tasmanian campaign as at 2 May 2012, 630 people had sent a letter to their MP using the Make a Stand website.  

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POSTED 4 May 2012
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Tasmanian Surrogacy

The Tasmanian Surrogacy Bill has stalled in Parliament. The Australian Christian Lobby is urging upperhouse members to reject the bill. ACL Tasmanian director Mark Brown said that since the draft bill was introduced, it had fundamentally ignored the ethical and moral implications of legalising surrogacy.

For ACL report click here.

The Tasmanian Legislative Council Committee has recommended on Dec 1 that the Surrogacy Bill 2011 be amended to “better protect the interest of the child” by making written surrogacy arrangements mandatory and including a medical and social need test. The Tasmanian Bill allows for homosexual partners (unlike in WA) to have a surrogant child and the committee did not recommend changing this in line with WA’s laws. In her submission to the inquiry the Tasmanian Commissioner for Children Aileen Ashford urged the need to consider the interest of the child. She did not recommend that homosexual couples should be excluded from receiving surrogant children. View the press release.

See the Commissioner of Children’s submission

View the report recommendations

Action: www.makeastand.org.au is urging Tasmanians to write to their local MP and write a letter to the editor. For more on the issue and to write a letter using the makeastand website through the Kids Rights Count campaign.

As at May 2, 2012, 10,856 people had sent a letter to their MP using this service.

Action: Saltshakers is asking people to write to their local MP and to the Premier. They ask that people pray that Lara Giddings will be removed from the Tasmanian Parliament and that the majority of MPs will oppose her social agenda. For MP contact details: http://www.saltshakers.org.au/take-action/campaigns

Action: the ACL is urging people to contact the Mercury, Examiner and The Advocate with their view points.

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POSTED 4 May 2012
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Marriage Bills

Last Chance: The House of Representatives Standing Committee on Social Policy and Legal Affairs is holding an inquiry into the Marriage Equality Amendment Bill 2012 (introduced by Labor MP Stephen Jones)  and the Marriage Amendment Bill 2012 (introduced by Greens MP Adam Bandt).

The two bills amend the Marriage Act 1961 to legalise homosexual marriage and to recognise homosexual marriages performed in foreign countries. It will substitute the words “a man and a woman” with the words “two people”

The closing date for public responses is 5PM EST 20 April 2012. The report is expected to be tabled on 18 June 2012. Send comments to The Secretary of the Committee on 02 6277 4969 or email SPLAmarriagebills@aph.gov.au

Action: the Committee and the Australian Marriage Forum is asking people to take an online survey on their views of the amendment to the Marriage Act. To undertake survey: https://www.surveymk.com/s/spla-marriage

As at April 19 almost 58% were in favour of changing the definition of marriage.

Action: Saltshakers is asking people to inform their local Federal MP and the leader of the Liberal and Labor parties of the recent European Court decision

In addition, on 8 February 2012 the Senate referred the Marriage Equality Amendment Bill 2010 for inquiry and report.

This private senator’s bill was introduced by Senator Hanson-Young.

The Submissions period closed 2 April 2012 and the reporting date for the inquiry is 6 June 2012. The committee received 75,000 submissions, approx 44,000 support the bill, 31, 000 oppose the bill.

For submissions, including from Yvonne Henderson, Commissioner for Equal Opportunity, the Australian Christian Lobby, Tasmanian Premier Lara Giddings, Endeavour Forum, Saltshakers, the Association for Reformed Political Action (submission 118) click here.

For more on the inquiry: click here

Action: The Association for Reformed Political Action and Saltshakers is calling on people to write to their Federal MPs asking them to reject any moves by their party to introduce homosexual marriage by changing the Marriage Act.

Action: Bill Muehlenberg, from Culturewatch asks people to write to Tony Abbott encouraging him to stand strong. His email address is: Tony.Abbott.MP@aph.gov.au

Action: www.MakeAStand.org.au is asking people to write a letter to their local MP. As at 19 April 2012 24,740 had used this service.

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POSTED 20 Apr 2012
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Tasmanian Surrogacy

The Tasmanian Surrogacy Bill has stalled in Parliament. The Australian Christian Lobby is urging upperhouse members to reject the bill. ACL Tasmanian director Mark Brown said that since the draft bill was introduced, it had fundementally ignored the ethical and moral implications of legalsing surrogacy.

For ACL report click here.

The Tasmanian Legislative Council Committee has recommended on Dec 1 that the Surrogacy Bill 2011 be amended to “better protect the interest of the child” by making written surrogacy arrangements mandatory and including a medical and social need test. The Tasmanian Bill allows for homosexual partners (unlike in WA) to have a surrogant child and the committee did not recommend changing this in line with WA’s laws. In her submission to the inquiry the Tasmanian Commissioner for Children Aileen Ashford urged the need to consider the interest of the child. She did not recommend that homosexual couples should be excluded from receiving surrogant children. View the press release.

See the Commissioner of Children’s submission

View the report recommendations

Action: www.makeastand.org.au is urging Tasmanians to write to their local MP and write a letter to the editor. For more on the issue and to write a letter using the makeastand website through the Kids Rights Count campaign.

As at April 20, 2012, 10,856 people had sent a letter to their MP using this service.

Action: Saltshakers is asking people to write to their local MP and to the Premier. They ask that people pray that Lara Giddings will be removed from the Tasmanian Parliament and that the majority of MPs will oppose her social agenda. For MP contact details: http://www.saltshakers.org.au/take-action/campaigns

Action: the ACL is urging people to contact the Mercury, Examiner and The Advocate with their view points.

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POSTED 20 Apr 2012
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Sunday Trading

On 22 February 2012, the Retail Trading Hours Amendment Bill 2012 was introduced into the Legislative Assembly and if passed, Sunday trading will be allowed for all retail shops from 11am until 5pm.

Action: The Association for Reformed Political Action is calling for people to bring their concerns with Sunday Trading to their local member of parliament asking them to consider maintaining the Lord’s Day for God’s glory, and also because it is a blessing for society.

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POSTED 24 Mar 2012
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Tasmanian Surrogacy

The Tasmanian Surrogacy Bill is expected to be debated in Parliament in the next week. The Australian Christian Lobby is urging upperhouse members to reject the bill. ACL Tasmanian director Mark Brown said that since the draft bill was introduced in 2012, it had fundementally ignored the ethical and moral implications of legalsing surrogacy.

For ACL report click here.

The Tasmanian Legislative Council Committee has recommended on Dec 1 that the Surrogacy Bill 2011 be amended to “better protect the interest of the child” by making written surrogacy arrangements mandatory and including a medical and social need test. The Tasmanian Bill allows for homosexual partners (unlike in WA) to have a surrogant child and the committee did not recommend changing this in line with WA’s laws. In her submission to the inquiry the Tasmanian Commissioner for Children Aileen Ashford urged the need to consider the interest of the child. She did not recommend that homosexual couples should be excluded from receiving surrogant children. View the press release.

See the Commissioner of Children’s submission

View the report recommendations

Action: www.makeastand.org.au is urging Tasmanians to write to their local MP and write a letter to the editor. For more on the issue and to write a letter using the makeastand website through the Kids Rights Count campaign.

As at March 25, 2012, 10,499 people had sent a letter to their MP using this service.

Action: Saltshakers is asking people to write to their local MP and to the Premier. They ask that people pray that Lara Giddings will be removed from the Tasmanian Parliament and that the majority of MPs will oppose her social agenda. For MP contact details: http://www.saltshakers.org.au/take-action/campaigns

 

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POSTED 24 Mar 2012
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Marriage Bills

The European Court of Human Rights judges stated that:

  • Same-sex marriages are not a human right
  • That if same-sex couples are allowed to marry, any church that offers weddings will be guilty of discrimination if it declines to marry same-sex couples.

Bill Muehlenberg’s Culture Watch has published an article March 24 on: Why the Demand for Homosexual Marriage? where he explains what is driving those that want to introduce homosexual marriage.

The House of Representatives Standing Committee on Social Policy and Legal Affairs is holding an inquiry into the Marriage Equality Amendment Bill 2012 (introduced by Labor MP Stephen Jones)  and the Marriage Amendment Bill 2012 (introduced by Greens MP Adam Bandt).

The two bills amend the Marriage Act 1961 to legalise homosexual marriage and to recognise homosexual marriages performed in foreign countries. It will substitute the words “a man and a woman” with the words “two people” Mr Bandt is said to have sent his bill to the committee in order to give lobbyists more time to convince the Coalition to alllow its members a conscience vote (Milanda Rout, The Australian, Go Slow on Same-Sex Marriage, Greens MP Adam Bandt warns Labor, Feb 28, 2012.) It is thought that a conscience vote would mean that the amendments would pass parliament.  The closing date for public responses is 20 April 2012. The report is expected to be tabled on 18 June 2012.

Send comments to The Secretary of the Committee on 02 6277 4969 or email SPLAmarriagebills@aph.gov.au

Action: the Committee is asking people to take an online survey on their views of the amendment to the Marriage Act. To undertake survey: https://www.surveymk.com/s/spla-marriage

In addition, on 8 February 2012 the Senate referred the Marriage Equality Amendment Bill 2010 for inquiry and report.

This private senator’s bill was introduced by Senator Hanson-Young.

Submissions should be received by 2 April 2012. The reporting date for the inquiry is 25 May 2012.

Submissions can be sent to: legcon.sen@aph.gov.au

or:

Committee Secretary
Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee
PO Box 6100
Parliament House
Canberra ACT 2600
Australia

T: 02 6277 5794 F: 02 6277 5794

For more on the inquiry: click here

Action: The Association for Reformed Political Action and Saltshakers is calling on people to write to their Federal MPs asking them to reject any moves by their party to introduce homosexual marriage by changing the Marriage Act.

Action: Bill Muehlenberg, from Culturewatch asks people to write to Tony Abbott encouraging him to stand strong. His email address is: Tony.Abbott.MP@aph.gov.au

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POSTED 6 Mar 2012
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WA and Tassie Prostitution Bills

The Sunday Times, (March 25, 2012 pg9, Joe Spagnolo, Madam aids Pastor MP) reported that Christian Pastor and Member for Morley, Ian Britza accepted $1500 in donations from brothel owner Mary Anne Kenworthy. Britza said he would be supporting the Government bill to legalise prostution but that the donation did not influence his decision.

On March 21, 2012 the member for Carine, Tony Krsticevic MLA tabled a petition of 1078 signatures calling for the WA Prostitution Bill, which will legalise prostitution, to be heavily amended or rejected completely. The Labor Party has said it would oppose the bill while the Liberal Party members have been given a conscience vote.

The Attorney General, Christian Porter is said to be happy to work with the Labor Party to get the Government’s Prostitution laws through Parliament. Until now the Labor Party has said it would not support the bill. Fremantle MLA Adele Carles has gone to Sweden to dtermine whether the model used in that country could be adapted to WA.

Action: People are being asked to thank Tony Krsticevic for tabling this petition.

Action: people are encouraged to speak to their Labor Members of parliament urging them to maintain their opposition to the bill.

Meanwhile in Tasmania, the Attorney General Brian Wightman released a discussion paper on the Regulation of the Sex Industry. Submissions are due by 9 March. For more info and discussion paper click here.

Action: the Australian Christian Lobby, Association for Reformed Political Action, Saltshakers and other organisations say it is a good time to write to local MPs in WA and Tasmania.

Action: The ACL’s Make a Stand Website has launched the “Women are worth more” campaign for Tasmania in addition to the WA campaign of the same name. Send your local MP a letter using the Make a Stand website.

In the WA campaign as at 25 March 2012, 1207 people had sent a letter to their MP using this service.

In the tasmanian campaign as at 25 March 2012, 508 people had sent a letter to their MP using the Make a Stand website.

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POSTED 6 Mar 2012
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Tasmanian Surrogacy

The Tasmanian Legislative Council Committee has recommended on Dec 1 that the Surrogacy Bill 2011 be amended to “better protect the interest of the child” by making written surrogacy arrangements mandatory and including a medical and social need test. The Tasmanian Bill allows for homosexual partners (unlike in WA) to have a surrogant child and the committee did not recommend changing this in line with WA’s laws. In her submission to the inquiry the Tasmanian Commissioner for Children Aileen Ashford urged the need to consider the interest of the child. She did not recommend that homosexual couples should be excluded from receiving surrogant children. View the press release.

See the Commissioner of Children’s submission

View the report recommendations

Action: www.makeastand.org.au is urging Tasmanians to write to their local MP and write a letter to the editor. For more on the issue and to write a letter using the makeastand website through the Kids Rights Count campaign.

As at March 5, 2012, 9359 people had sent a letter to their MP using this service.

Action: Saltshakers is asking people to write to their local MP and to the Premier. They ask that people pray that Lara Giddings will be removed from the Tasmanian Parliament and that the majority of MPs will oppose her social agenda. For MP contact details: http://www.saltshakers.org.au/take-action/campaigns

 

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POSTED 6 Mar 2012
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