Tasmanian marriage equality advocates have welcomed a landmark vote for marriage equality in the UK parliament saying it puts pressure on the Tasmanian Upper House and the state Liberal Party to support the issue.
Tasmanian Gay and Lesbian Rights Group spokesperson, Rodney Croome, said,
“The overwhelming UK vote in favour of marriage equality sends a direct message to our Upper House members that the time for this reform has come.”
“The fact that UK Conservative Prime Minister, David Cameron, allowed a conscience vote on the issue, increases pressure on Liberal leader, Will Hodgman, to do the same.”
Last year the Tasmanian Lower House became the first house of parliament in Australia to pass legislation allowing same-sex couples to marry, but the Bill was defeated by two votes in the Upper House with the Liberal Party voting as a bloc against it in both houses.
“Achieving marriage equality at a state level is still the most likely way froward for this issue in Australia and like many other supporters of the reform I want to see Tasmania lead the way”, Mr Croome said.
Mr Croome went on to say he expects many Tasmanian same-sex couples, where one partner is a UK national, to marry when the new law is passed.
“Sadly, when Tasmanians marry under the new UK law their solemn vows will not be fully recognised or respected under the law of the state in which they live.”
In 2010, Tasmania became the first Australian state to recognise overseas same-sex marriages, but as state Deeds of Relationship not as marriages.
Rodney Croome Tasmanian Gay and Lesbian Rights Group. Australian Marriage Equality
