Tasmania has taken another leap for LGBTIQ rights, announcing plans to push for marriage equality laws at a state level if the Australian Federal Government doesn’t close the gap.
At a State Conference in Hobart Premier Lara Giddings made the announcement – pledging to enact laws allowing same-sex couples to marry. Tasmanian Gay and Lesbian Rights Group spokesperson, Rodney Croome, spoke of the benefits that will stem from the decision.
‘Tasmania will be more socially inclusive, we will build stronger relationships and families, our economy will benefit and we will dispel our lingering reputation for intolerance forever’.
If marriage equality laws are passed, gay and lesbian couples will not have to head to Europe or North America to tie the knot. It is estimated that the law change will generate an initial 90 million dollars from couples marrying in the state.
PFLAG has commended the announcement from Premier Giddings, stating – ‘We are delighted with the Tasmanian Labor Government plans for marriage equality. We applaud Tasmania’s leadership in recognising the undeniable rights of all its citizens to participate in society fully, regardless of sexual orientation.’
Although Tasmania was the last state to decriminalise homosexuality in 1997, it has been at the forefront of building LGBTIQ rights in Australia since.
‘Its parliament was the first to enact a civil union scheme, the first to recognise overseas same-sex marriages and the first to give in-principle support to the reform at a national level’, said Croome.
‘Overnight, Tasmania has become a beacon of hope for hundreds of thousands of Australians.’
Nadine Walker
