Gay Marriage

As my very last blog post for this Assessment task, I thought it was important to go out with a bang! and talk about one of the most controversial and current issues within the law and the legal system (as a current event in Australian Society) with many, many debates showcasing opinions and views for and against; the concept of Gay Marriage!

Personally, I believe that this debate has gone on too long. As we all know, In Australia "Gay Marriage" is illegal- and is not treated as a "Marriage" (traditionally between a man and a woman) but as a "Union." I think that this is absurd and ridiculous- this is discrimination at its finest- something I thought, we as an diverse and accommodating nation- do not stand for.... Although I do not have a very strong opinion on the matter, I think that this has gone way too far. I genuinely do not see the issue with this, and why we have had to drag this through the media for years and years. It is time to take a stance and make a change. We, as the public should have the right to vote on this, like I have been saying in previous blog posts, WE are the ones that are grounded by the law, we live by it every single day and is the very foundation upon which society survives upon. Without it, we wouldn't be where we are today. But, in saying that, the law is in place to match and fit with the communal standards and expectations, because, without the constant change within the law, we just wouldn't be the nation we are today. It is as simple as that...

I do not understand the general fuss around this?!?! What is the big deal? All they want is equality (showcased by the above video). That is an extremely basic right that they deserve! They don't want to be better than us, placed on a throne or anything like that. It is merely a debate about equal marriage rights. Enough of living in the dark ages, we as a nation, have to be accommodating for all walks of life; all sexualities. Love is love. It doesn't matter the age or gender, or anything like that. These people don't get to pick and choose. Love seeps through all boundaries. This is so unaustralian. So I believe that they should, under the relevant legislation; be entitled to the same rules and procedures as anyone else. They just want what everyone else has.

At the end of the day, this should not be a political or religious debate... It has nothing to do with that! We, as a nation, should be allowed to vote on such huge and widespread issues like this. We should be able to make these decisions. Religion has to be secular from the law (we are defined by civil law- not biblical matters). This is love! It doesn't make sense to integrate the two- this is the cause of wars and hatred. The law must be separate. Therefore, equality for all is essential. We will be ruined; the law will be ruined and not taken as serious, if we do not provide these fundamental rights for everyone. What would be the point? It is time to make a change... The above video is a very very important video to watch (providing context and information and statistics on the matter! please watch!).

Reference for Text:
http://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/gay-marriage/not-allowing-same-sex-marriage-is-frankly-un-australian/story-fnizhakg-1227503895797

Reference for Image:
http://www.australianmarriageequality.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/piechart.png

Reference for Youtube Videos:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yip46iX0r3I
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XfaHnlMV9Qw

Once again, these are just my views and opinions. I am always open for discussion on the matter, and hearing both sides of the argument. This is my last blog post for the ISYS100 Assessment Task 2 (adding up to 21 blog posts), and I have had a ball! Thanks for tuning into my Blog!

Drinking Age: 18 or 21?

I have recently stumbled across a proposed Bill (Liquor Amendment (Drinking Age) Bill) by Fred Nile in the NSW legislative council that is proposing to amend the drinking age in Australia from 18 to 21 years old. This would involve an amendment to the Liquor Act 2007. 

This has been a key issue raised repeatedly a number of times for a variety of reasons. Such that this isn't the first time Fred Nile has introduced this Bill (he did so back in 2011, and it was promptly rejected). But I believe that the legal drinking age should stay the same, in fact, 29 states in the US have actually lowered the age from 21 (I see this as a growing trend). 

Turning 18 marks an important time in a young persons life. It is seen in Australia as the becoming of an Adult; entering adulthood. You gain a number of responsibilities and freedoms including the right to vote, gamble and drink. Now, especially in a country where individuals are actually legally obliged to vote at 18, I definitely do not think that this Bill will gain any political traction or support.

People are still going to drink no matter what the drinking age is, and I don't see anything changing if the legal age is increased from 18 to 21 as teenagers will still find a way to get their hands on it. I would actually go as far to say that they would want it and yearn for it even more if the age was increased. 

This video showcases some of the opinions of some Australians on this vital question: "Should we raise the legal drinking age from 18 to 21?"

I therefore believe that increasing the drinking age will not significantly lower or decrease alcohol-related harm in teens. To combat this issue of intoxication, the Government and NGOs need to focus on the existing measures and policies in place, and work towards consolidating them before ever taking the drastic measure of increasing the legal drinking age; as I believe this will not change much. Therefore, I firmly believe that this is not a necessity in today's society, and we should focus on other means to fix the problem of the harms of alcohol and intoxication.

Reference for Text:
https://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/prod/parlment/nswbills.nsf/131a07fa4b8a041cca256e610012de17/0039557f593ef665ca257e3c0021ec74?OpenDocument

Reference for Image:

http://www.bu.edu/today/files/2010/10/18or21-beerfoam_h.jpg

Reference for Youtube Video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DM3WzeJ0Btc