Our government’s failure to allow same-sex marriages will be in the global spotlight this week.

On Thursday Australia will appear before the United Nations to answer questions about its human rights record. Included will be a question from the Netherlands about the failure of the Australian Government to allow same-sex marriages or recognise them from overseas:

“What specific measures will the Australian Government take to ensure equality before the law of all its citizens regardless of sexual orientation, and will this include allowing same-sex partners to marry and recognise same-sex marriages from overseas, as well as ensuring equal rights for same-sex partners seeking to become parents, or who are currently parenting?”

Same-sex couples have been able to marry in the Netherlands since 2001. The Australian Government does not recognise same-sex marriages from other countries, although Tasmania does recognise overseas same-sex marriages as state civil unions.

Meanwhile, the Czech Republic and Switzerland have flagged that they will ask Australia about our non-discrimination policies protecting LGBT citizens.

And the UK will ask: “What measures has the government taken to ensure consistency and equality across the individual States in recognising same-sex relationships?”

A document showing some countries’ advance questions to Australia appears below.

Australian Marriage Equality National Convener Alex Greenwich says the Gillard Government’s failure to allow same-sex marriages is an easily-removed stain on the nation’s human rights record.

“As we celebrate our nation’s achievements on Australia Day, let’s keep in mind that the test of national values like equality and a fair-go is whether they are extended to all citizens,” he says.

“Australia is a human rights leader and to remain in that position we must show we are genuine about human rights by removing the legal inequalities experienced by same-sex couples.”