TAS LABOR LEADERSHIP PUTS PRESSURE ON OTHER LABOR STATE BRANCHES AND TAS LIBS
Tasmanian marriage equality advocates have welcomed the State Labor conference’s decision that all Labor MPs should uphold the party’s pro-marriage equality policy.
Spokesperson for Tasmanians United for Marriage Equality, Andrew Badcock, said,
“It is absurd that Labor politicians are allowed to ignore both their party’s policy in favour of marriage equality and the public’s overwhelming wish to see the reform occur.”
“Labor MPs don’t have a conscience vote on human rights issues and that should include marriage equality.”
“I’m glad to see Tasmanian Labor taking the lead on marriage equality yet again and urge other state Labor conferences to follow.”
“Tasmanian Labor taking the lead on marriage equality also puts pressure on the State Liberals to move ahead with the reform, should the federal parliament fail to.”
At the weekend, the Tasmanian Labor conference voted to ensure that all Tasmanian delegates to Labor’s National Conference are bound to support a motion that ensures all Labor MPs vote for marriage equality.
A recent national survey by research company, Crosby/Textor, found that support for marriage equality nationally has risen to a new high of 72%.
Tasmanian State Labor Conference has led the nation on the issue, being the first to support the principle of marriage equality (2008), the first to support a state same-sex marriage law (2012) and the first to support all MPs voting in favour of the reform (2012).
Currently, the Labor Party has a conscience vote on marriage equality.
Australian Marriage Equality national director, Rodney Croome
