The member for Newcastle, Sharon
Grierson MP, has become the first Labor MP to publicly commit herself
to voting in favour of equal marriage rights when legislation is next
introduced into federal parliament by signing Australian Marriage
Equality's (AME) Charter of Equality.
This commitment follows last
week's statement of support by MP Kelly Hoare, who represents the
neighbouring electorate of Charlton, who
has written to the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission
seeking an investigation into discrimination against same
sex couples resulting from recent amendments to the Marriage
Act 1961.
AME national convener, Peter Furness,
said that he was delighted by Sharon Grierson's commitment.
"Sharon Grierson is making it clear
that discrimination has no place under Australian law and that the right
of same sex couples to equal legal treatment is more important than
partisan politics.
"We have more support in parliament
than many of our opponents realise", said Furness.
