今日吃瓜

The Tasmanian Parliament has this afternoon passed a motion of support for full marriage equality in Australia. The vote was 13 in favour, nine against.

After debate resumed this afternoon a majority of the house agreed to pass the Greens motion calling for in-principle support for marriage equality and for the federal Government to reform the Marriage Act to allow same-sex couples to marry. It does not mean same-sex couples can legally marry on the Apple Isle.

Tasmanian Greens Leader Nick McKim and Tasmanian Labor Premier Lara Giddings led the way to speak in favour of marriage equality.

鈥淟ove doesn鈥檛 discriminate 鈥� but the law still does discriminate and unfortunately that prevents some people from marrying the person they love purely on the basis of sexuality and gender,鈥� Tasmania鈥檚 Greens leader told the house this morning.

鈥淢ost people, and I say that advisedly, do not support where the law is today. Poll after poll after poll in this country, and this state, has shown overwhelming majority community support for marriage equality.鈥�

Premier Giddings said she was pleased to support the motion.

鈥淲e鈥檝e come a long way since 1997 [when Tasmania decriminalised homosexuality], we now have the opportunity to go further and lead the nation,鈥� she said.

鈥淧ersonal moral disapproval is not reason enough to allow discrimination to continue.鈥�

Opposition Leader Will Hodgman said the Liberal Party would not support the Greens motion claiming it was 鈥渋nconsequential鈥� and any changes to the Marriage Act were the responsibility of federal Parliament.

鈥淲e do not resile from strong support for marriage, as defined by the laws of our land… without demeaning other forms of relationships that do exist, which are also deserving of support in a community,鈥� Hodgman said.

Hodgman accused the Greens of 鈥済randstanding” on the issue and hit out at claims those opposed to marriage equality were homophobic.

Hodgman said issues of discrimination against LGBT people could be tackled without changing the Marriage Act.

Earlier in the debate Greens MP Cassy O’Connor accused Hodgman of 鈥渆spousing bigotry鈥� but she later expressed 鈥渃ontrition鈥� for her remarks saying they were 鈥渦nnecessary鈥�.

鈥淚 am baffled where the opposition is coming from,鈥� O’Connor said. 鈥淲hat are opponents [of marriage equality] afraid of?鈥�

Greens MP Kim Booth also attacked Hodgman’s lack of support of the issue and labelled Hodgman’s speech 鈥渟hameful and devisive鈥� and said it 鈥渕ade me feel ill.鈥�

Greens MP Paul O’Halloran accused the Liberal Party of being 鈥渨edded to views of another era鈥� and said it was time to 鈥済et serious鈥� about tackling discrimination against GLBT people.

鈥淗ow often do we hear ‘I believe in non-discrimination, but’,鈥� O’Halloran said.

鈥淚 believe there are no ‘ifs and buts’. Either we are fair and non-discriminatory, or we are not.鈥�

Labor Attorney-General Brian Wightman said it was time for marriage debate to occur.

鈥淚 am a person of faith and I know I’m not alone in my support for marriage equality,鈥� he said.

Labor MP Michelle O’Byrne likened the denial of marriage equality to racism.

鈥淲hen we deny people fundamental rights we see their humanity as somehow being less than ours,鈥� she said.

Labor MP David O’Byrne said every citizen has the right to celebrate their love.

鈥淓very day the Marriage Act denies marriage equality, is one more day people are discriminate against in a way that fundamentally affects their lives.鈥�

Labor MP Graeme Sturges said the motion shouldn’t be underestimated.

鈥淚t’s a great step for humanity. It’s a motion of great significance,鈥� he said.

Labor MP Rebecca White paid tribute to members of Tasmanian Young Labor in pushing for change in the state.

“It is progressive young people like this showing a great way for a civilised society,” she said.

Rounding up the debate, Labor MP Brenton Best said he had changed his mind on same-sex marriage after being challenged by a mother who expressed her disappointment she could not attend her gay son’s wedding.

鈥淚 vote yes for the Queenstown mother attending her son’s wedding,鈥� best said.

Hodgman was the only Liberal member to speak formally during the debate.

REACTION:

Equal Love Victoria convenor Ali Hogg said she was “thrilled” with the result.

鈥淭his is a historic day for marriage equality,” Hogg said. 鈥淭he Tasmanian motion is a great start if we want to see full marriage equality in Australia.

鈥淚t is vital that we keep up the pressure on the ALP so hopefully their members follow suit with their Tasmanian colleagues and support marriage
equality at their National Conference in December鈥�

Earlier in the day Tasmanian Gay and Lesbian Rights Group spokesman Rodney Croome and Australian Marriage Equality national convenor Alex Greenwich met with Giddings to thank her for the support.

“I’m hopeful other state parliaments will follow Tasmania’s lead by sending a clear, unequivocal message to Canberra that it’s time for full equality,” Croome said.