[Greens-Media] SA Upper House Votes in Support of Marriage Equality Motion

[Franks, Office]

Labor member Gerry Kandelaars' motion to applaud the passage of New Zealand's marriage equality legislation and test levels of support for same sex marriage in the Parliament has passed in the Upper House this evening.
Greens' Gender & Sexuality spokesperson Tammy Franks MLC, who currently has a Marriage Equality Bill before the Parliament, said the result of the vote showed that marriage equality had the in principle support of members.
"This is an exciting moment for South Australians," Ms Franks said.
"Now we know that Upper House members at last reflects the view of the majority of South Australians, by proving their in-principle support for marriage equality, but the wedding planning is waiting on Liberal leader Steven Marshall.
"So why does Mr Marshall continue to deny his party a conscience vote on marriage equality?
"The party's rationale for allowing a conscience vote on a marriage equality motion but not on a marriage equality Bill is untenable.
"I'm calling on Steven Marshall not to run scared on this issue and allow Liberal Members a conscience vote as Premier Barry O'Farrell has in NSW and support the debate on Marriage Equality legislation in the Lower House.
"South Australia has a real opportunity to lead the way for same sex couples.
"We have the support of the Premier, now we need the support of the Leader of the Opposition too.
"New Zealand may have trumped us, but the time for change in South Australia is now," Ms Franks concluded.

Labor Member for Port Adelaide, Dr Susan Close, today foreshadowed the introduction of a Private Member's Bill for Marriage Equality in the Lower House.


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