Sarah Hanson-Young, Australian Greens Senator for South Australia, gave the 29th annual Earle Page College Politics Lecture at the University of New England last Wednesday night, August 1, exploring the issue of same-sex marriage.
The lecture, titled “The time has come for marriage equality in Australia”, followed a formal dinner for College members and invited guests, at which Ms Hanson-Young was the guest of honour.
The Adelaide-based Senator took her seat as South Australia’s first Greens Senator — and the youngest person ever elected to the Australian Senate — on July 1, 2008. She said that she would like to inspire young people, such as those she spoke to in Armidale, to make their voices heard, to make a difference by standing up for what they believe in (on a political level). “I get frustrated with the politics of today, often driven by the 24-hour media cycle, and the three-year election campaigns. Politicians should be asking, ‘will people in coming decades thank us for our decisions today?’.
“Marriage equality is a reform that is happening right around the world. There is increasing support for the removal of the discrimination in the current Marriage Act, here in Australia. Allowing two people who are committed to a loving relationship to have that recognised under a Federal law and celebrated by friends and family is about equality,” she said. “I have a Bill currently before the Senate, which a Senate Enquiry has just reported on. It’s had more submissions from the public than any other piece of legislation in the Parliament’s history, in support of it. It will now be up to my Federal Parliamentary colleagues to do the right thing when it comes before parliament in the next few months.”
The legislation is understood to have a strong chance of being passed in the Senate but it is less likely in the House of Representatives. Prime Minister Julia Gillard has stated that she will vote against same-sex marriage but will allow a conscience vote. Opposition Leader Tony Abbott is also against the legislation and will expect Coalition members to ‘toe the Party line’. Member for New England, Tony Windsor, has indicated that he will not support a same-sex marriage Bill.
While the population struggles with dramatic cost of living increases and political leaders battle over options to contend with the boatloads of asylum seekers, what makes same-sex marriage a pressing and important debate? “Just because we have a number of national interest issues, it doesn’t mean we should not address the important matter of marriage equality. We can walk and chew gum at the same time. Removing this discrimination, allowing same-sex couples the same rights as everybody else sends a message, particularly to young people, those who are struggling with their sexuality, learning about who they are and coming out, that they aren’t second class citizens in this country, that their relationships will be seen and treated equally by this country. Same sex marriage in Australia is inevitable; it is just a matter of when. I think the time is now.”
Ms Hanson-Young said same-sex marriage is an equality, not a religious issue. “The Federal Marriage Act has no requirement that you must be married in a church or by a religious celebrant. A majority of marriages are conducted by civil celebrants these days. Over 63 per cent of marriages occur outside of a religious setting. The government and the community as a whole see value in the institution of marriage, not just the religious portions of it.
“There are economic benefits from marriage. With two people formally committed to loving, caring for and supporting each other, there is less strain on budgets, on the health system; many positive outcomes for society exist.”
The Senator’s portfolio responsibilities include youth, childhood education and care, immigration and citizenship, consumer affairs, water and the Murray-Darling Basin, human rights, sexuality issues, and Tibet. She leads the Greens’ efforts to have the Marriage Act amended to achieve marriage equality for same-sex couples, lobbies the Federal Government to protect the Murray-Darling Basin, and is a strong advocate of compassion in Australia’s treatment of asylum seekers.
Ms Hanson-Young considered the Earle Page College Politics Lecture as an opportunity. “Over 85 per cent of young people in Australia support marriage equality. I grew up in the country and I know there are limited opportunities to speak directly to Federal Parliamentarians. It was a chance for me to talk to the students here, not only regarding something I’m passionate about, but also to hear what they’re passionate about.”
Ms Hanson-Young’s varied career before entering the Australian Senate included positions as a campaign manager for Amnesty International (2004-2008), and State Secretary for the Australian Greens (2006).
Each year, Earle Page College invites a prominent political figure to speak at its Annual Politics Dinner. Previous speakers have included Julia Gillard, Tony Abbott, Bob Brown and Joe Hockey.
Sir Earle Christmas Grafton Page, after whom the College and lecture series are named, was chairman of the advisory council for the University of New England College from 1938 until 1954, and then the University’s first Chancellor from 1954 to 1960. He was Prime Minister of Australia for a brief period in 1939.
