Long road yet to travel
THE NT News is a much-loved newspaper in its far northern community. It is world famous and set to be featured on 60 Minutes for its brazen page ones and striking headlines, not to mention its obsession with “crocs”.
But beyond the highly original and often laughout-loud funny front pages is a serious newspaper which breaks strong local news and fights hard to represent its community.
This week, it took a striking stand on the issue of marriage equality, with a front page depicting a couple holding hands with a simple message “DO IT NOW” and the accompanying words: “The time for talking is over. The public are sick of the bickering and political point-scoring about same-sex marriage. The Northern Territory and Australia need to move forward. The legalisation of same-sex marriage is inevitable. It is time to end this farce”.
The Mercury did something similar (though not quite so dramatic) in October last year, turning our masthead to the colours of the rainbow and penning a series of editorials in support of marriage equality.
It came around the same time as both Houses of State Parliament also gave in-principle support for same-sex marriage.
Like the NT News, and many other newspapers and communities around the country, the Mercury has taken a position on the issue, arguing it is a vital move to end discrimination against same-sex couples.
That does not mean we will not portray all points of view through these pages. But we, as any media organisation in a democracy, reserve the right to form an opinion on issues as we see fit.
We believe marriage equality is similar to other debates which have in the past marginalised sections of the community. We believe generations of the future will look back and say: “What was all the fuss? Why didn’t that happen sooner?” We believe the road may be long and painful, but we also believe the final result is inevitable.
And, it appears there is still a road to travel. It emerged yesterday that a High Court challenge to the Federal Government’s proposed postal vote on same-sex marriage will be lodged.
And Tasmania is set to play a central role. Denison MP Andrew Wilkie is a party to the challenge, which includes same-sex rights advocate and former Tasmanian Australian of the Year Rodney Croome, and marriage-equality advocates Shelley Argent and Felicity Marlowe.
The Federal Government has proposed the Australian Bureau of Statistics run the postal vote, which is aimed to start mid-September. But Mr Croome said legal advice provided by barrister Ron Merkel QC found constitutional problems in the bureau running the poll, and it may “exceed the ABS’s authority”. Mr Croome said there also were questions about whether the Government could pay for the ballot without legislation being passed.
So again we wait to see where debate takes us. In all likelihood, it could lead to the highest court in the land. The NT News says: “DO IT NOW”. Given where debate is heading, that could be easier said than done.
It emerged yesterday a High Court challenge to the Federal Government’s proposed postal vote on same-sex marriage will be lodged. And Tasmania is set to play a central role