BRISBANE LORD MAYOR COMES OUT IN SUPPORT OF MARRIAGE EQUALITY

Brisbane City Council is sending Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull a message – legislate for marriage equality as soon as practicable.

The formal policy will be adopted as a bipartisan measure in the council chamber next Tuesday, Fairfax Media reports.

The motion will be moved by Lord Mayor Graham Quirk (pictured) and seconded by Labor Opposition Leader Peter Cumming.

Cr Quirk said the motion was designed to coincide with next Tuesday’s International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia (IDAHOT).

He has already committed to continuing to light up the Story Bridge, Victoria Bridge and City Hall in rainbow colours, as well as fly the rainbow flag on City Hall next week.

Cr Quirk said LNP councillors would be afforded a conscience vote, but Fairfax Media understands it will pass.

“I support the important message behind the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia, which is why I will continue to promote inclusiveness,” he said.

The motion is that the council:

1: Supports the legislation of marriage between consenting adults regardless of sex, sexuality or gender identity; and

2: Calls of the federal government to legislate for marriage equality as soon as practicable, and that council writes to the Prime Minister to that effect.

Cr Cumming told Fairfax Media he was happy to support Cr Quirk’s motion.

“Marriage equality has been a part of Labor Party policy since 2011, so it’s heartening to see that the LNP has changed their position on this issue,” he said.

“It was only two years ago, in 2014, that Lord Mayor Quirk initially refused to fly the rainbow flag at City Hall on the International Day Against Homophobia.

“We have always seen marriage equality as an issue of discrimination against same-sex couples and we welcome the LNP’s change of heart.”

Mr Turnbull has stuck to party lines and his government, if re-elected, will hold a plebiscite (public vote) rather than directly legislate in favour of marriage equality.

Attorney-General George Brandis announced last week that $160 million had been set aside for the plebiscite.