CANBERRA _ On the eve of Valentine's Day, three federal politicians have taken the first steps towards changing the law to allow all loved-up couples _ regardless of their sexual orientation _ to get married.
Two separate bills to legalise same-sex marriage were introduced in federal parliament yesterday, first by Australian Greens MHR Adam Bandt and independent MHR Andrew Wilkie, and then by Labor's Stephen Jones.
The bills aim for the same result but differ in their wording, with the Greens bill appearing slightly more sensitive in language _ adding the word ``equality'' _ compared with Mr Jones' more straightforward legislation.
The lower house yesterday also began debating a motion from Mr Wilkie that asks politicians to ensure any amendments to the Marriage Act to broaden the definition of marriage to mean a union of ``two people'' instead of a man and a woman, did not force churches to marry same-sex couples.
``When the parliament does tackle this great reform I don't wish to be hindered by an argument that it might be seeking to force the churches to solemnise marriages they do not agree with,'' Mr Wilkie said.
Both bills put up yesterday contained these protections.
Mr Bandt told parliament he believed the power of love would eventually conquer all and predicted same-sex marriage would be legalised in Australia before the end of the year.
Email a friend