Only 10 votes needed for marriage equality to pass Senate

Marriage equality advocates have welcomed support from Cabinet Minister, Joe Ludwig, who has become the twenty ninth senator to declare support for marriage equality, meaning only ten more votes are needed for a Senate majority.

In a letter to constituents Mr Ludwig called last year’s change in Labor Party Policy to support marriage equality a “positive change… that builds on Labor’s history of removing discrimination for GLBTI Australians”, he also referred to the historic platform change as “the first big step towards marriage equality in law”.

Alex Greenwich, National Convener of of Australian Marriage Equality, said Senator Ludwig’s support marks a turning point in the marriage equality debate.

“Only ten more votes are needed for the Senate to pass a reform that will strengthen families, provide couples with greater security, and fulfil the aspirations of a clear majority of Australians”, Mr Greenwich said.

“With only 20 Senators against and 27 still undecided or undeclared, we believe marriage equality has a great chance of passing the Senate.”

“I am confident support in the Senate will continue to grow with other key figures set to join Senator Ludwig in opening their hearts and minds to the importance of this reform.”

Mr Greenwich said the case to have legislation debated first in the Senate is stronger than ever before.

“With support in the Senate clearly growing, a strong recommendation for reform from the recent Senate inquiry, the likelihood of co-sponsorship, and such strong advocates in the Senate as Penny Wong, the Senate is the obvious chamber to start the marriage equality debate and vote.”

To encourage undecided senators Australian Marriage Equality has launched a new online campaign to  enable supporters of marriage equality to quickly and easily write to their undecided Senators. The campaign was launched yesterday, and has already seen 10,000 emails being sent to undecided Senators.

The campaign can be found here

For further information contact Alex Greenwich on 0421 316 335.

A list of declared supporters is below: