SAME-SEX marriage advocates are preparing to lobby MLCs whom they believe could change their mind and vote in favour of making Tasmania the first state to allow gay people to tie the knot.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Murchison MLC Ruth Forrest is determined to make her colleagues debate the legislation again this year, after the proposed state-based same-sex marriage laws failed to pass the Legislative Council last year.
Ms Forrest has abandoned the idea of forming a parliamentary committee to examine the legislation.
``I think we're a bit committeed-out. I think there are possibly other ways,'' Ms Forrest said.
Pro-gay marriage activists will focus on allaying fears expressed by MLCs about the potential for the laws to be challenged in the High Court.
Ms Forrest said she was sourcing legal opinion from experts whom her colleagues would ``respect and trust'' to counter the influential views expressed by former chief justice and Governor William Cox opposing the concept.
While South Australia, New South Wales and the ACT were pursuing same-sex marriage laws, Gay and Lesbian Rights Group spokesman Rodney Croome said delays in their progress meant there was a good chance that Tasmania could still be the first state to actually implement the historic change.
``So the huge economic bonus from couples coming here to marry is still ours to seize if the upper house does the right thing,'' Mr Croome said.
``I'm hopeful we can convince a majority of upper house members this time around because they will have had several months to consider how this reform strengthens relationships and families, and to put their constitutional concerns in perspective.''
Nelson MLC Jim Wilkinson, who faces election in May, and Elwick MLC Adriana Taylor are likely to be targeted.
``The other game-changer in 2013 is strong support from world leaders like President (Barack) Obama and the likelihood that we will see marriage equality in France, the UK and New Zealand in the next few months,'' Mr Croome said.
Premier Lara Giddings and Greens leader Nick McKim, who co-sponsored the bill, have not ruled out reigniting debate again this year, but are likely to wait and see if the make-up of the 15-member Legislative Council changes when three MLCs go to the polls.
Save Marriage Coalition spokesman Guy Barnett was concerned that the state government wanted to debate the matter again.
``It concerns many other Tasmanians given our other priorities,'' Mr Barnett said.
``The question is will they and when? They should come clean on their agenda.''
