Tasmanian premier reignites marriage hopes

Gay marriage in Tasmania may have failed the first time, but the state government has reignited hope for advocates last week after it pledged to try again “as soon as possible”.

Tasmanian Premier Lara Giddings tabled a motion in Parliament l

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Thursday, stating “I move that this House notes the commitment of members of the Labor Party and the Tasmanian Greens to achieve, as soon as possible, this inevitable reform that is supported by so many in our community”.

She recognised the recent gay marriage swing in the US where Maine, Maryland, Washington and Minnesota voted for same-sex marriage during the elections.

Giddings also noted former Labor Prime Minister Bob Hawke’s gay marriage endorsement last week.

Tasmanian Gay and Lesbian Rights Group spokesman Rodney Croome applauded the government’s commitment to the reform.

“The message to Upper House members who hold this issue in their hands is that by opposing reform they are unnecessarily prolonging the debate,” Croome said.

“Knowing the government and a majority of Tasmanians are behind us, advocates of reform will continue to campaign right up to the new Upper House vote.”

The Tasmanian Upper House knocked back the marriage equality bill in September in a narrow vote of eight to six after it successfully passed through the lower house.

Some Australian states and territories are expected to progress ahead on same-sex marriage within the next year.

The ACT Labor government pledged to introduce a bill early in its current term after it was re-elected last month.

It is understood the South Australian Labor government will move on a bill already introduced into the Parliament by Greens MLC Tammy Frank.

A NSW cross-party committee indicated this week they would introduce a number of bills into the Parliament in hopes it would be debated.