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In defence of state and territory same-sex marriage laws

By Rodney Croome - posted Thursday, 19 September 2013

Australia is in for a heated national debate about the validity of state and territory same-sex marriage laws.

When supporters of these laws step up, let it not just be to defend the principle of dignity and equality for same-sex couples.

Let it also be in defence of our federal system and its capacity for adaption and innovation.

In his book defending Australia's constitutional monarchy, Tony Abbott wrote approvingly about our federal system.

In his words, "power divided is power limited", "if they (the states) did not exist we would have to invent something very much like them" and we should "keep politics out of our biggest decisions because some things are too important for 'winning' and 'losing'".

We can only hope he still holds to these traditional values.

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About the Author

Rodney Croome is a spokesperson for Equality Tasmania and national advocacy group, just.equal. He who was made a Member of the Order of Australia in 2003 for his LGBTI advocacy.