2017-07-11 Services and Organisation Committee Agenda

SERVICES & ORGANISATION COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA                                    11 JULY 2017


4                        COUNCIL SUPPORT FOR MARRIAGE EQUALITY
DOCUMENT INFORM AT ION




Author                           Director Community Services
                                 Community Services Department

Index                            ECM / Subject / 69.02 Community Services Section

Attachments                      Nil


EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Not applicable

RECOMMENDATION
That Council note the report by the Director Community Services to the Services & Organisation
Committee Meeting dated 11 July 2017 and agree to formally support the motion passed at the
2016 Australian Local Government Association’s Assembly that called on:
“the Federal Government and the Federal Parliament to treat with dignity and respect all
members of the community regardless of gender or sexuality by supporting changes to the
marriage act to achieve marriage equality for same sex couples.”


REPORT
Background

Equality and freedom from discrimination are fundamental human rights.

On 1 August 2013, the Sex Discrimination Act 1984 was amended to make discrimination on the
basis of a person’s sexual orientation, gender identity and intersex status against the law.

Despite this important step forward many lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and intersex (LGBTI)
people in Australia still experience discrimination and harassment in their everyday life.

For many members of the LGBTI community, marriage equality is the next important step in
securing legal recognition of same-sex relationships and proper recognition of their status as
equal members of the community.

Jurisdiction

The Marriage Act 1961 is a law made by the Australian Parliament that regulates the rules for the
recognition of marriages throughout Australia.

The Marriage Act 1961 originally did not contain a definition of marriage. This was amended in
2004 to define marriage as ‘the union of a man and a woman to the exclusion of all others,
voluntarily entered into for life’.

Australian Local Governments have no jurisdiction or responsibility for marriage, however Local
Governments often advocate on behalf of members of their local communities for changes to
State or Federal Legislation and in June 2016 the Australian Local Government Association
(ALGA) passed a motion calling on the Federal Government to legalise same sex marriage.




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