AHRC criticises Government

In the wake of polling showing 75 percent of Australians believe same-sex marriage is inevitable, the Australian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has expressed concern over the Gillard Government’s disregarding of a United Nations recommendation that Australia move towards marriage equality.

AHRC president Catherine Branson said the Government had accepted, or accepted in part, more than 90 percent of recommendations made during the UPR and had undertaken to report back in two years to the UN Human Rights Council on how it is implementing these recommendations.

However, she said the AHRC was disappointed the Government had rejected other recommendations such as the introduction of a Human Rights Act, same-sex marriage recognition, and compensation for the Stolen Generations.

“The Commission will continue to monitor and advocate for improved human rights protections in Australia, including in relation to immigration matters and other recommendations not accepted by the Government,” Branson said.

The NSW Gay and Lesbian Rights Lobby (GLRL) was also unimpressed with the Government’s refusal to act on marriage and used its response to the UPR to press for the promised inclusion of sexual orientation in federal anti-discrimination laws.

“While it is pleasing Australia is reforming anti-discrimination laws to include sexual orientation and gender identity, Australia is falling behind comparable jurisdictions which have full marriage equality,” GLRL co-convenor Kellie McDonald said.

“Marriage is a civil institution, governed by secular laws. The Government should act immediately on the UPR recommendations, and amend the Marriage Act to ensure all people can marry.”