Tasmanian Premier Lara Giddings has vowed to continue the push for same sex marriage.

Marriage equality advocates have welcomed Tasmanian Premier, Lara Giddings commitment at today’s Tasmanian Labor State Conference in Burnie to the passage of a state same-sex marriage law, as well as overwhelming support for a party vote on marriage equality from conference delegates.

  • Gidding recommitment to state same-sex marriage bill welcomed
  • Tasmania Labor wants party vote on marriage equality

Tasmanians United for Marriage Equality convener, Jackson Tegg, said,

“We welcome Lara Giddings recommitment to passing a Tasmanian same-sex marriage law because such a law will strengthen relationships, create a more inclusive community and benefit the state’s economy.”

“Overwhelming support in the Upper House for the gay adoption bill on Thursday gives us hope because it makes sense that the children adopted by same-sex couples are also allowed the greater security that can come with having married parents.”
“We hope two upcoming reports on the constitutional issues raised by state same-sex marriages will allay the concerns raised by Upper House members during last year’s debate.”

Mr Tegg also welcomed today’s motion in favour of a party vote on marriage equality saying it shows the Tasmanian Labor Party is continuing to lead the way on the issue.

“What Tasmania Labor has done is simply say it wants all Labor MPs to vote according to the party’s existing pro-marriage equality policy, a stance which is consistent with the Labor Party’s core principle of only allowing conscience votes on matters of life and death.”

“If federal Labor was to adopt a party vote increase support for marriage equality in parliament and place extra pressure on Tony Abbott to also move forward by allowing a conscience vote.”

Mr Tegg said federal Labor cannot adopt a party vote on marriage equality until the next ALP national conference and until then a cross-party conscience vote is most likely way to achieve marriage equality at a federal level.

“At the moment a cross-party conscience vote is the most likely way to achieve marriage equality, but if Tony Abbott continues to refuse his party a conscience vote then a party vote for federal Labor members, as well as state same-sex marriage laws, are far better paths forward than a referendum.”

“We urge other Labor state conferences to follow Tasmania’s lead.”

Last year the Tasmanian Labor State Conference became the first in Australia to endorse a state same-sex marriage law, which was subsequently introduced by Labor Premier, Lara Giddings. In an Australian first, the Bill passed the Lower House but was narrowly defeated in the Tasmanian Upper House.

The passage of today’s motion, which was carried on the voices, was accompanied by a standing ovation for the pro-marriage equality speakers.

For more information contact Jackson Tegg on 0414 988 184 or Rodney Croome on 0409 010 668.

Author: Jackson Tegg
Publication: Tasmania United for Marriage Equality
Date:29 June 2013

Further to the media release sent earlier, here is a verbatim report of Lara Gidding’s comments at today State Labor conference about her aspiration for a state same-sex marriage law.

Premier Lara Giddings has vowed to continue the push for same sex marriage.

“In accordance with last year’s Conference resolution on marriage equality, we took legislation to State Parliament and, while we haven’t got the Legislative Council to agree with it yet,” she said.

“But we haven’t given up hope of ending this last area of discrimination against same-sex couples.

“We won’t walk away from this reform.”

Ms Giddings referred to new Prime Minister Kevin Rudd’s support of same-sex marriage.

“As we’ve seen with our new Prime Minister, people do change their minds and I hope that the same happens with members of the Legislative Council.”