The Tasmanian Greens have announced that they will bring forward a motion declaring in-principle support for marriage equality in the state’s parliament.
Greens leader Cassy O’Connor has negotiated with the other parties for an extended debate on the issue, a move which will allow every politician a chance to have their say.
Ms O’Connor said the premise of the motion was simple.
“That the House gives its in-principle support for equality,” Ms O’Connor said.
“It will be a conscience debate, and they’re often the best debates in the House.”
Earlier this year Liberal Premier Will Hodgman gave his support to a conscience vote on same sex-marriage in the federal Liberal Party, and it is expected he will allow his member to have a free vote in state parliament.
The motion will get support from all the Greens members in the Tasmanian parliament and Labor members will also be allowed a conscience vote.
Tasmania has been a focus area for the national debate on marriage equality.
Last week the state’s Anti-Discrimination Commissioner said the Catholic Church had a case to answer over their controversial ‘Don’t Mess with Marriage’ Booklet.
Earlier this month the story about state authorities failing to recognise a gay couple’s defacto relationship after one of them died made international headlines.
Ms O’Connor is expected to introduce the motion on Wednesday during the parliaments final week of sitting.
