Tasmanian marriage equality advocates have welcomed a commitment from the state government to revisit the marriage equality debate.

Today, Premier Lara Gidding’s tabled a motion in parliament noting recent marriage equality victories in the US, the commitment of other states to move forward on the issue and the desire of Tasmanian Labor and Green members to also move forward “as soon as possible”.

Tasmanian Gay and Lesbian Rights Group spokesperson Rodney Croome, said,

“We applaud the government’s commitment to a reform which will strengthen relationships and families, and boost the Tasmanian economy.”

“The message to Upper House members who hold the future of this issue in their hands is that by opposing reform they are unnecessarily prolonging the debate.”

“Knowing the government and a majority of Tasmanians are behind us, advocates of reform will continue to campaign right up to the next Upper House vote.”

In August the Tasmanian Lower House became the first parliamentary chamber in Australia to pass marriage equality legislation, which was then narrowly defeated in the Tasmanian Upper House.

In the last fortnight and ACT government has committed to introducing legislation early in 2013, as has a cross-party group of MPs in NSW. Legislation is also expected to be tabled in South Australia.

In the recent US election four states returned pro-marriage equality referenda results. Same-sex marriages in three of these states are expected to result in a $166 million economic boost.

A copy of Ms Giddings’ motion is included below.

Notice of Motion – Same Sex Marriage
Premier – 22 November 2012

Mr Speaker, on tomorrow I will move
That this House:-
• Notes that the TasPride Festival is running from the 16th to the 24th of November and the festival aims to celebrate the contribution, courage and vitality of the Tasmanian Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex and Queer community.
• Notes the majority support for same-sex marriage in Maine, Maryland, Washington and Minnesota during their recent elections.
• Notes that these results mean that same-sex marriage will soon be legal in nine U.S states which is further proof that the time for change has come in Australia.
• Notes the work of the Williams Institute at the UCLA School of Law which estimates that the new same-sex marriage laws in Maine, Maryland and Washington will generate at least $166 million in wedding spending and see 18,000 same-sex couples marry in the next three years.
• Notes that the NSW cross-party marriage equality working group, made up of members of the Labor, Greens, Liberal and National parties, has announced that it is drafting marriage equality legislation that will be introduced into the NSW Upper House early next year
• Notes that the new ACT Government has given a written commitment to introducing marriage equality legislation early in 2013.
• Commends former Labor Prime Minister, Bob Hawke, for endorsing marriage equality.
• Recognises that there is no compelling reason for marriage discrimination to continue.
• Notes the commitment of members of the Labor Party and the Tasmanian Greens to achieve, as soon as possible, this inevitable reform that is supported by so many in our community.
Rodney Croome Tasmanian Gay and Lesbian Rights Group. Australian Marriage Equality