Tasmania votes support same sex marriage

Pressure will mount on the Australian government to legislate to recognize same sex marriage after an historic vote in the state of Tasmania to change the law.

The Tasmanian House of Assembly on Wednesday became the first state in Australia to formally support same-sex marriage.

A motion calling on the federal Labor government to amend the Marriage Act, was passed with the support of minority government partners Labor and the Greens.

Tasmanian Greens Leader Nick McKim said the federal government, which will debate same-sex marriage at its national conference in December, must now act to change the law.
‘‘Its time for the federal government to change our nation’s laws and provide for marriage equality for all Australians, regardless of gender, regardless of sexuality,’’ he said in Tasmania's capital of Hobart today.

‘‘The Tasmanian parliament has given thousands of same-sex couples around Australia – and their families and friends – hope that change is coming.’’

The Labor party in most states and territories have already passed a motion in support of gay marriage.

Prime Minister Julia Gillard has expressed support for the current definition of the Marriage Act – which does not recognize same-sex partnerships – but says she will consider putting the issue to a vote at the December conference.

Tasmanian Gay and Lesbian Rights Group spokesman Rodney Croome said he felt "exceptionally proud", ABC reports.

‘‘If every state and territory parliament were to do what we have seen in Tasmania today it would be impossible for the federal parliament to continue to resist change,’’ Mr Croome said.

‘‘If Tasmania can do this, the other states and territories can do it too.’’

But the motion has disappointed others like the Anglican Bishop of Tasmania, John Harrower.

"I think it's good to keep marriage to mean what it means, and for their relationships to have another term," he said.

"I can't see that that's discrimination. I can see that it's a description of a different sort of relationship.