TASMANIAN GAY AND LESBIAN RIGHTS GROUP
CALL ON TAS LIBS TO BACK FREE VOTE ON MARRIAGE EQUALITY
Tasmanian gay rights advocates have welcomed the demise of the Government’s proposed marriage equality plebiscite and have called on Tasmania’s federal and state Liberal politicians to push for a Coalition free vote so marriage equality can pass.
Last night the Senate voted down the plebiscite 33 votes to 29 with Labor, the Greens, the Xenophon Team and Derryn Hinch uniting to defeat the proposal.
Tasmanian Gay and Lesbian Rights Group spokesperson, Rodney Croome, said,
“I congratulate all the Tasmanians who took action against a plebiscite and all our federal representatives who voted against it.”
“It is a great relief for many LGBTI Tasmanians to know that our lives, relationships and families will not be subject to the hateful anti-gay campaigns a plebiscite would have enabled.”
“The way forward is for the Government to have a free vote, or for Liberals who support marriage equality to cross the floor.”
“I call on Tasmania’s federal and state Liberals to stand up for the foundational Liberal principle of freedom of conscience within their own ranks.”
“Only a handful of Liberals need to cross the floor to finally get marriage equality through.”
Mr Croome said research had shown the Tasmanian LGBTI community was more opposed to a plebiscite than its interstate equivalents.
“A survey of the Australian LGBTI community by the University of Queensland, which was the largest of its kind ever conducted with 5,500 respondants, found that 91% of Tasmanian LGBTI people opposed a plebiscite compared to 85% nationally.
Tasmanian Gay and Lesbian Rights Group spokesperson, Rodney Croome
