Rodney Croome More than a thousand same-sex Australian couples say they will fly to New Zealand to marry if the reform passes, as expected, tonight. Australian Marriage Equality national director, Rodney Croome, says the figure comes from a survey his organisation has been running since Friday. "Most Australian same-sex partners would prefer to marry the person they love in the country they love, but now that marriage equality is only three hours away there will be a flood of couples flying to New Zealand to tie the knot and spend their money." "While the majority of Australians who support marriage equality will welcome reform in New Zealand, many will feel deeply embarrassed that our nearest neighbour has left us behind." "New Zealand's leaders have put politics aside to pass this important reform and Australia's leaders must do the same." Croome said New Zealand will now receive a slice of the estimated AU $700 million Australian same-sex couples will spend on their weddings. "New Zealand is set to reap a massive economic dividend from the wedding-spend of those Australian same-sex couples who are tired of their country's failure to act."
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Wednesday, 17th April 2013 - 2:02pm