Tasmanian ALP votes for same-sex marriage

The Tasmanian Labour Party held its state conference in Hobart on July 26. It adopted a new policy in support of same-sex marriage after a close vote.

State Young Labor president Stuart Benson moved the successful motion, the July 27 Mercury said.

The motion read: "The conference believes that all couples who have a mutual commitment to a shared life should have their relationships treated equally and without discrimination on the basis of their sexual orientation. The conference believes in equal access to marriage under Australian law, regardless of the sex of the parties."

The position stands in stark contrast to the refusal of the federal ALP to legalise same-sex unions.

Tasmanian Gay and Lesbian Rights Group spokesperson Rodney Croome said: "This decision [in Tasmania] will send a strong message to the upcoming ALP national conference and the Rudd government to support equality in marriage for same-sex partners."

However, PM Kevin Rudd insisted that the federal ALP would keep its homophobic policy. He told ABC Online on July 31: "We went to the last election being very clear-cut about our position on marriage [as] being between a man and a woman."

From GLW issue 805