The Australian Equality Party (Marriage) (also AEP; formerly Australian Equality Party until January 2016) was an Australian political party founded by Jason Tuazon-McCheyne. The AEP had a platform that promoted equality and human rights, particularly in relation to the LGBTQ community.[1][2][3] The party's goal was to get AEP Leader, Jason Tuazon-McCheyne, elected to the Senate at the 2016 Australian federal election.[4]
Australian Equality Party | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Leader | Jason Tuazon-McCheyne |
| Founded | 9 October 2014 |
| Dissolved | 26 March 2018 |
| Headquarters | Melbourne, Victoria |
| Ideology | LGBT rights |
| Website | |
| www | |
History
editThe Australian Equality Party was launched on 2 February 2014 by Jason Tuazon-McCheyne and his team at Melbourne's LGBTIQ Pride March in St Kilda.[5][6] At that time the AEP released its first suite of policies relating to LGBTIQ people at the parade,[7][8] including marriage equality, health and wellbeing issues for LGBTIQ people and reform for laws regarding LGBTIQ people's rights to adoption.
The AEP was registered with the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) on 9 October 2014.[9] The Convenor of the AEP was Jason Tuazon-McCheyne.[10] On 27 January 2016, the AEC approved a name change to append the word "Marriage" to the party's official name.[11]
In 2014 the AEP was only active in Victoria, focusing on gathering support for its campaign to elect its leader Jason Tuazon-McCheyne as a Senator for the state of Victoria at the 2016 federal election.[12][13]
In the 2016 federal election AEP fielded two senate candidates in each of Queensland, South Australia and Victoria, and three candidates in Victoria for the House of Representatives.[14] None of these candidates were elected. The party received 0.87%, 0.38% and 0.49% of first preference votes in the three states it contested for Senate seats[15] and 1.59% of first preference votes in its highest-polling House seat, Melbourne Ports.[16]
The party was deregistered voluntarily on 26 March 2018.[17]
Leadership
editThe leader of the AEP was Jason Tuazon-McCheyne, a civil celebrant in Victoria.[10][18] Tuazon-McCheyne is married to his husband Adrian, they have a son and live in Melbourne's north west.
Deputy Leader Jacqueline Tomlins[19] is a writer, campaigner and activist and has been involved in a variety of LGBTIQ related campaigns, particularly around marriage equality and a legal challenge in the High Court of Australia to a ban on recognition of overseas same-sex marriages in Australia.[20]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ Emma Hastings (3 March 2014). "Brunswick West dads launch Australian Equality Party in fight against homophobia". Moreland Leader.
- ^ "New Political Party Calls for Members" Archived 4 March 2016 at the Wayback Machine. 3wnews.org.
- ^ "Jason Tuazon-McCheyne Launches Equality Party". The Age. Fairfax Media. 2 February 2014. Archived from the original on 14 March 2024. Retrieved 8 February 2015.
- ^ "Australian Equality Party". Archived from the original on 24 February 2018. Retrieved 23 March 2016.
- ^ "Melbourne’s Pride March a scorching success" Archived 24 March 2015 at the Wayback Machine. starobserver.com.au.
- ^ Magnusson, Michael. "Australian Equality Party launches with Pride". Gay News Network. Archived from the original on 2 July 2014. Retrieved 31 January 2014.
- ^ Findlay, James. "AEP Launches Policy". Gay News Network.
- ^ Benjamin Riley (2 February 2015). "Premier Leads 20th Anniversary Pride March as Community out in Force"]". Star Observer. Retrieved 23 March 2016.
- ^ "Australian Equality Party (Marriage)". Australian Electoral Commission. 27 January 2016. Archived from the original on 24 March 2016. Retrieved 23 March 2016.
- ^ a b "Jason Tuazon-McCheyne launches Australian Equality Party" Archived 8 July 2015 at the Wayback Machine. The Sydney Morning Herald. February 3, 2014 Chris Hingston
- ^ "Australian Equality Party (AEC)". Australian Electoral Commission. Retrieved 14 November 2024.
- ^ Tomlins, Jacqui (3 February 2014). "Introducing the Australian Equality Party". Jacqui Tomlins Blog. Retrieved 23 March 2016.
- ^ Akersten, Matt. "New political party focuses on LGBTI equality". Same Same. Archived from the original on 9 February 2014. Retrieved 31 January 2014.
- ^ "Candidates for the 2016 federal election". Australian Electoral Commission. 12 June 2016. Archived from the original on 13 June 2016. Retrieved 12 June 2016.
- ^ "Senate Results". AEC Tally Room. Australian Electoral Commission. 9 August 2016. Archived from the original on 3 August 2016. Retrieved 31 August 2016.
- ^ "Melbourne Ports, VIC". AEC Tally Room. Australian Electoral Commission. 28 July 2016. Archived from the original on 5 September 2016. Retrieved 31 August 2016.
- ^ "Australian Equality Party (Marriage) Voluntary Deregistration" (PDF). Australian Electoral Commission. 26 March 2018. Archived (PDF) from the original on 29 March 2024. Retrieved 27 March 2018.
Notice under s 135(1) of the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918 The Australian Equality Party (Marriage) was registered on 9 October 2014 and deregistered on 26 March 2018. Reason: s 135(1) – voluntary deregistration.
- ^ "Jason Tuazon-McCheyne Launches AEP". The Age. Fairfax Media. 2 February 2014. Archived from the original on 14 March 2024. Retrieved 8 February 2015.
- ^ "Boroondara residents help launch the Equality Party to stand up for gay rights". Greg Gliddon, Progress Leader, February 19, 2014
- ^ "Australian Equality Party Pushes for Federal Seat". www.heraldsun.com.au. Herald Weekly Times. Retrieved 8 February 2015.