A VOTE to reform same sex marriage will go before Tenterfield Shire Council today in a unique initiative being pushed by Byron Shire Council.
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Council currently hold no stance on the issue as demonstrated by their 2014/15 Operational Plan and a request has come from Byron Shire mayor Simon Richardson to support a marriage equality proclamation.
“Byron Shire Council supports marriage equality, and strongly believes same sex couples should have the choice to legally marry in celebration of their relationship,” Mr Richardson said.
He said denying same sex couples equal rights to marry was discriminatory and a violation of basic human rights.
Mr Richardson said he wanted to see other councils support a similar proclamation adopted by his council.
“We will be collecting Marriage Equality Proclamations from local government areas across Australia, with the intent of presenting these to the Prime Minister.
“We believe our elected leaders have a responsibility to protect the rights of all citizens,” he said.
Before it has even reached councils chambers the vote to push for legislative changes has already attracted heat from local church groups.
“May I respectfully say, any step by Tenterfield Shire Council in adopting a Marriage Equality Proclamation would be a dark day indeed for this town and district,” Presbyterian Church pastor Jim Seymour said.
“May I remind councillors that you were not elected to office to debate such issues.
“I believe that any councillor found on the side of the ledger supporting such an abominable position after votes have been counted, is exposing themselves to an uncertain future."
- Presbyterian Church Family pastor, Jim Seymour
Pastor Seymour said council risked turning against his church and other community members should they support Byron Shire’s proposal.
“Months before Premier Barry O’Farrell was removed from office, I wrote to him warning of the dangers to his Premiership and Government tenure should he allow Parliament to vote on subjects that may support anything homosexual in nature - he wrote back ignoring my prayerful advice.”
The swing towards same sex marriage acceptance has gained traction since a Bill was put before the ACT parliament in 2013.
Similar proposals, at a Federal level, have also been narrowly knocked back in the last year.
Former PM Julia Gillard came out publically yesterday saying “gay marriage will be legal” despite past comments to the contrary.
"I accept the course of human history now is that we are going to see same-sex marriage here and in, you know, most parts of the developed world," she said.
However, Pastor Seymour argued that Tenterfield’s council didn’t hold the necessary standing to vote on such a shift.
“What qualifications do councillors have that gives them the right to speak for Tenterfield citizens on such a divisive subject?”
Council will vote on the proposal at their September council meeting today from 9.30am as well as holding a vote for the mayoral position.
UPDATE:
Tenterfield Shire Council voted five votes to four in favour of supporting a Marriage Equality Proclamation.
Councillor Mary Leahy said she felt the issue was a divisive one in the community but saw no reason not to support the proposal.
"This shire, for a rural area, is quite remarkable in its acceptance for same sex couples," Cr Leahy said.
More to follow.
