Greens Senator Janet Rice gave an impassioned argument for marriage equality during her maiden speech on Wednesday, paying tribute to her partner of 28 years Penny.
Senator Rice told her new colleagues she was proud of their status as a same sex couple who were legally married in Australia, 17 years before her then husband Peter underwent the transformation into Penelope.
She said she was resolute that all couples should be able to share the right to marriage.
“The time for marriage equality in Australia has come,” she said.
“I'm here for all lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex people and their families. We deserve recognition and respect in all aspects of our lives: at school, in workplaces and in our communities.
“Penny's and my partnership shows that love is love, and is to be celebrated.”
'We deserve recognition and respect in all aspects of our lives'
Senator Rice’s speech, which was met with applause from her colleagues in the upper house, also outlined her commitment to fighting global warming.
She told her colleagues of how environmental concerns launched her on her political career, more than 30 years ago.
“I was studying science at Melbourne Uni,” she said.
“[Dr Barrie Pittock] had just explained the emerging understanding of the greenhouse effect, and the likely impact it was going to have on our climate and our planet.
“I walked out of the lecture into warm spring sunshine, past other students who were having lunch. All I could think was 'This is serious! The world needs to be doing something about this!'
“Learning about global warming politicised me.”
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