Author: ANNA LEACH
Publication: Gay Star News
Publication Date: March 28, 2013
Same-sex marriage could be debated again in Tasmanian parliament, after a narrow defeat of a bill in the Upper House last year
A Tasmanian Member of the Legislative Council (MLC) has tabled a motion to bring back a Same-Sex Marriage Bill to the state parliament.
Six months ago Tasmania’s Upper House rejected a bill proposing to legalize same-sex marriage in the Australian state, after it had passed in the Lower House.
Today independent MLC Ruth Forrest tabled a motion to bring back the Bill. If the motion is supported the Bill could be debated again later in the year.
‘With same-sex marriages imminent in Britain, France and New Zealand, but no change likely any time soon at a federal level, Tasmania has another opportunity to lead the nation on this important reform,’ said Tasmanian Gay and Lesbian Rights Group spokesperson, Rodney Croome.
The Bill was defeated by 8 MLCs to 6 last September.
Those who voted against the Bill expressed concern that legislation should be decided federally rather than at state level, and that state marriage laws could face a constitutional challenge.
Croome said that a cross-party inquiry currently being conducted in New South Wales would help to clarify constitutional concerns.