Tasmania backs marriage equality

Tasmania backs marriage equality

The Tasmanian Parliament has this afternoon passed a motion of support for full marriage equality in Australia. The vote was 13 in favour, nine against.

After debate resumed this afternoon a majority of the house agreed to pass the Greens motion calling for in-principle support for marriage equality and for the federal Government to reform the Marriage Act to allow same-sex couples to marry. It does not mean same-sex couples can legally marry on the Apple Isle.

Tasmanian Greens Leader Nick McKim and Tasmanian Labor Premier Lara Giddings led the way to speak in favour of marriage equality.

“Love doesn’t discriminate … but the law still does discriminate and unfortunately that prevents some people from marrying the person they love purely on the basis of sexuality and gender,” Tasmania’s Greens leader told the house this morning.

“Most people, and I say that advisedly, do not support where the law is today. Poll after poll after poll in this country, and this state, has shown overwhelming majority community support for marriage equality.”

Premier Giddings said she was pleased to support the motion.

“We’ve come a long way since 1997 [when Tasmania decriminalised homosexuality], we now have the opportunity to go further and lead the nation,” she said.

“Personal moral disapproval is not reason enough to allow discrimination to continue.”

Opposition Leader Will Hodgman said the Liberal Party would not support the Greens motion claiming it was “inconsequential” and any changes to the Marriage Act were the responsibility of federal Parliament.

“We do not resile from strong support for marriage, as defined by the laws of our land… without demeaning other forms of relationships that do exist, which are also deserving of support in a community,” Hodgman said.

Hodgman accused the Greens of “grandstanding” on the issue and hit out at claims those opposed to marriage equality were homophobic.

Hodgman said issues of discrimination against LGBT people could be tackled without changing the Marriage Act.

Earlier in the debate Greens MP Cassy O’Connor accused Hodgman of “espousing bigotry” but she later expressed “contrition” for her remarks saying they were “unnecessary”.

“I am baffled where the opposition is coming from,” O’Connor said. “What are opponents [of marriage equality] afraid of?”

Greens MP Kim Booth also attacked Hodgman’s lack of support of the issue and labelled Hodgman’s speech “shameful and devisive” and said it “made me feel ill.”

Greens MP Paul O’Halloran accused the Liberal Party of being “wedded to views of another era” and said it was time to “get serious” about tackling discrimination against GLBT people.

“How often do we hear ‘I believe in non-discrimination, but’,” O’Halloran said.

“I believe there are no ‘ifs and buts’. Either we are fair and non-discriminatory, or we are not.”

Labor Attorney-General Brian Wightman said it was time for marriage debate to occur.

“I am a person of faith and I know I’m not alone in my support for marriage equality,” he said.

Labor MP Michelle O’Byrne likened the denial of marriage equality to racism.

“When we deny people fundamental rights we see their humanity as somehow being less than ours,” she said.

Labor MP David O’Byrne said every citizen has the right to celebrate their love.

“Every day the Marriage Act denies marriage equality, is one more day people are discriminate against in a way that fundamentally affects their lives.”

Labor MP Graeme Sturges said the motion shouldn’t be underestimated.

“It’s a great step for humanity. It’s a motion of great significance,” he said.

Labor MP Rebecca White paid tribute to members of Tasmanian Young Labor in pushing for change in the state.

“It is progressive young people like this showing a great way for a civilised society,” she said.

Rounding up the debate, Labor MP Brenton Best said he had changed his mind on same-sex marriage after being challenged by a mother who expressed her disappointment she could not attend her gay son’s wedding.

“I vote yes for the Queenstown mother attending her son’s wedding,” best said.

Hodgman was the only Liberal member to speak formally during the debate.

REACTION: Activists applaud Tasmanian Parliament vote

Equal Love Victoria convenor Ali Hogg said she was “thrilled” with the result.

“This is a historic day for marriage equality,” Hogg said. “The Tasmanian motion is a great start if we want to see full marriage equality in Australia.

“It is vital that we keep up the pressure on the ALP so hopefully their members follow suit with their Tasmanian colleagues and support marriage
equality at their National Conference in December”

Earlier in the day Tasmanian Gay and Lesbian Rights Group spokesman Rodney Croome and Australian Marriage Equality national convenor Alex Greenwich met with Giddings to thank her for the support.

“I’m hopeful other state parliaments will follow Tasmania’s lead by sending a clear, unequivocal message to Canberra that it’s time for full equality,” Croome said.

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11 responses to “Tasmania backs marriage equality”

  1. as a gay christian I’m beyond pleased with this decision. may God’s will be done for gay rights both here in Australia and thought the world.

  2. So it really is true what they say about Tasmania being backward and archaic… Only a herd of semi-evolved knuckle dragging neanderthals would think homosexuality is ok, let alone think marriage is acceptable. Let’s just hope the rest of the country can keep with the times and quell the gay gestapo nonsense.

  3. Great news, let’s enjoy this moment but not lose sight that marriage equality has not actually happened yet. I hope the other States follow Tasmania’s lead, although it’s unlikely to happen in Liberal held WA, Vic and NSW. In the end, it’s the federal government that needs to change the Marriage Act.