City plays key role in equality debate

The territory has long been the most progressive jurisdiction in the country in advocating for same-sex rights and removing the discrimination that same-sex couples face in our society.

Since the enactment of the Civil Unions Act 2006, ACT legislators have sought to overcome the limitations of the federal Marriage Act by enabling legislation at the territory level.

These attempts have been defeated on three occasions by the federal government.

The mood for change has long been apparent in the nation's capital and it is a shame that the Commonwealth invested so much in opposition to it.

As chief minister Andrew Barr pointed out on Saturday the ACT was the first state or territory to legalise marriage equality in 2013 and for a period of five days couples could marry.

He said while the high court had not allowed the legislation to succeed it put the issue on the national agenda and "the federal parliament couldn't shirk their responsibilities to step up and make the change".

There is no doubt that criticism still surrounds the decision by the federal government to use a postal survey to gauge public opinion on the issue rather than just making the decision themselves as they are elected to.

But given the experiences of the ACT Legislative Assembly in having legislation overturned, it is important to remember that allowing the public a say is still a step forward for the country.

Like the handful of anti same-sex marriage protestors at the rally in Civic on Saturday there are still pockets of the community staunchly opposed to the change.

There will never be 100 per cent support for a significant change of this nature but there is an overwhelming demand nationwide for the discrimination to end.

There is little doubt where the ACT stands on the issue.

We shall soon know how the rest of the country feels.