Liberal member Tim Wilson has proposed to his same-sex partner during a speech in parliament, amidst a marriage debate in the House of Representatives.

Wilson was giving his speech on Dean Smith’s marriage bill in the chamber, when he proposed to his partner Ryan, who was sitting in the gallery.

He was recounting his earlier engagement to Ryan, when he had offered him a ring and said: “I don’t know what this ring represents, or means, but will you take it as a sign of my commitment?”

“You’ve had to tolerate more than most because you have had to put up with me,” he added.

Wilson then asked Ryan “will you marry me” through tears, who gave an enthusiastic “yes” from the gallery.

The Australian Senate passed Dean Smith’s marriage bill last week, with 43 senators voting for the proposed legislation, and 12 voting against it.

The bill will now be debated in the House of Representatives where it will likely pass this week, granted no amendments are pushed through.

If passed without amendment, it will then go on to the Governor-General for Royal Assent, where it will be made law, and marriage equality will in turn become a reality.

 

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