NSW passes equal marriage motion

NSW passes equal marriage motion

The NSW Legislative Council has passed a motion, in a vote of 22 to 16, urging federal parliamentarians to legalise same-sex marriage  – making it only the second Australian state to do so.

The vote was also the first time that Coalition MPs had been allowed to vote on the issue in Australia.  The motion passed with the support of MLCs from all major parties.

Amendments by Labor MLC Greg Donnelly and the Christian Democrats’  Reverend Fred Nile seeking to alter the motion to oppose marriage equality were defeated 26 – 13 and 24 – 14 respectively.

Australian Marriage Equality (AME) national convenor Alex Greenwich tweeted from  Parliament that it was an “amazing feeling to have my state parliament give my marriage respect and dignity”.

Tasmania’s Parliament was the first to pass such a motion in September last year and the NSW motion used an identical form of words.

However, Coalition MPs were not allowed to vote for the Tasmanian motion, which passed with the support of Labor and the Greens alone.

Following the vote, the motion’s author, Greens MLC Cate Faehrmann, said the NSW Upper House had shown real leadership on the issue.

“Today we are on the right side of history,” Faehrmann said.

“For the first time, MPs from all major parties have joined together to vote in favour of marriage equality. This was a symbolic motion, but it is immensely significant. Today we have given voice to the majority of NSW citizens who don’t want our marriage laws to discriminate.

“Every single step towards full equality is to be welcomed and congratulated enthusiastically. I want to thank all of my colleagues who supported the motion, and acknowledge that for many, this was a very difficult motion to contend with.

“In the end, the arguments against marriage equality are based on personal and religious beliefs that have no place in our civil marriage laws. It’s time for full equality and the NSW Upper House has made that clear.”

Greenwich thanked Premier Barry O’Farrell on behalf of AME for allowing the conscience vote for Coalition MPs.

“Today’s vote increases pressure on [Opposition leader] Tony Abbott to allow a conscience vote for the growing number of federal Coalition MPs who also support this issue,” Greenwich said.

“The motion says to all federal parliamentarians that this is an important issue Australians want resolved.”

The NSW Gay and Lesbian Rights Lobby (GLRL) welcomed the vote.

“Marriage equality is a matter of fairness, and we welcome the NSW Legislative Council sending a powerful message to the Commonwealth Parliament that it is time to eliminate unjust discrimination against people on the basis of whom they love,” GLRL co-convenor Justin Koonin said.

“NSW has made considerable reforms over the years advancing relationship recognition for same-sex couples, and this is another welcome endorsement,” GLRL co-convenor Lainie Arnold said.

“We hope this motion will urge more federal MPs, particularly those in the Coalition, to come out in support of marriage equality.”

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9 responses to “NSW passes equal marriage motion”

  1. It’s important for people to know how the voting went (who voted for, who voted against) because you may not like it if your seat’s elected official voted against your rights.

    One may have the opportunity in future to vote against that person. This is, after all, a democracy.

  2. Trevor: Miss Gardiner never spoke during the debate – but still voted against same-sex marriage – an appalling effort.

  3. Now will the motion be considered in the lower House with 70 out of 93 members Liberal or National party?!

    Will the same motion pass the lower House I wonder?!

  4. The Members who voted in favour of the motion were:
    LIBERAL: Ajaka, Cusack, MacDonald, Pearce
    NATIONAL: Blair, Khan, Mitchell
    LABOR: Cotsis, Fazio, Primrose, Roozendaal, Searle, Secord, Sharpe, Veitch, Voltz, Westwood
    GREEN: Barham, Buckingham, Faehrmann, Kaye, Shoebridge

    The Members who voted against the motion were:
    LIBERAL: Clarke, Ficarra, Gallagher, Lynn, Maclaren-Jones, Mason-Cox, Phelps
    NATIONAL: Colless, Gardiner, Pavey
    LABOR: Donnelly, Foley
    CHRISTIAN DEMOCRAT: Green, Nile
    SHOOTERS & FISHERS: Borsak, Brown

  5. Ben, this debate was conducted in a spirit of tolerance. People had a diversity of views. The outcome was that the motion passed. It is inappropriate to target any particular member.

  6. Can the SSO please list how members voted – I’ve heard Miss Jenny Gardiner and her very sensible shoes voted against same-sex marriage.