NSW to follow Tasmania’s lead?

Staff Writers
February 14, 2012

NSW Greens MP Cate Faehrmann will today give notice of a motion calling on the Commonwealth to amend the Marriage Act 1961 to provide for marriage equality.

The motion is the same as that passed successfully by the Tasmanian House of Assembly in September 2011.

“It’s important that MPs everywhere are able to have their say on marriage equality. This motion will allow all MPs to send a clear message to their counterparts in Canberra,” Faehrmann said.

“I am looking forward to the debate, and hearing the views of MPs who might normally avoid speaking out, or who simply haven’t had the opportunity.

“With public support at around 62 percent, equal marriage is now well and truly an issue that won’t go away.

“Denying anyone the right to marry who they love is ludicrous. It’s last century and it’s time our federal Parliament caught up.

“I’m calling on all NSW MPs to help remove discrimination from our marriage laws. The arguments against marriage equality are based on personal and religious beliefs that have no place in our civil marriage laws.”

Australian Marriage Equality national convener and Sydney Mardi Gras chair Peter Urmson have given the motion their support.

“Just as the Tasmanian and ACT Parliaments declared support for equality, the NSW Upper House now has a chance to send a message that will have a meaningful impact on the many same-sex couples in that state,” Greenwich said.

“This motion provides an historic opportunity for the first Coalition members to vote for marriage equality.”

Urmson added: “Parliament has an opportunity to continue and increase its show of support to the GLBTIQ citizens who make such an important contribution to our great state”.

It is expected that the NSW Coalition will grant its members a conscience vote given NSW Premier Barry O’Farrell has previously declared his support for a coalition conscience vote.