?Premier Lara Giddings was praised yesterday by gay rights advocates for announcing Labor would vote for a bill to legalise same-sex marriage.

The legislation, which could pass by the end of the year, would allow anyone, not just Tasmanians, to tie the knot here, allowing the state to capitalise on a potential $100 million-a-year economic windfall.

However, she faces yet another tough battle with the Legislative Council to get the major social reform through.

Tasmanian Gay and Lesbian Rights Group spokesman Rodney Croome said that lobbying of the traditionally conservative upper house members would start now.

``I think that there'll be people who oppose this reform who will be taking quite vigorous action to see Tasmania not move forward and I know there are many people across Tasmania that will want to match that by raising their voices in favour of equality,'' Mr Croome said.

St Marys celebrant Peter Powers has been with his partner for 34 years.

``We have always wanted to get married from the beginning of our relationship and we have suffered discrimination unnecessarily throughout our lives,'' Mr Powers said.

He said critics of same-sex marriage would not be affected by the move. ``The sky is not going to fall in because all of a sudden we are able to get married.''

World champion axeman David Foster, whose daughter is gay, said more and more people were coming out in support of same-sex marriage.

``I come from old-school but in this day and age you have got to move with the times and I think it is really great news for people that would like to do that (get married).''

Bridge too far?

LYONS MHA Michael Polley is expected to be the only state Labor MP to vote against the legislation in the lower house.

Mr Polley, who is also Speaker in the House of Assembly, is expecting a conscience vote to take place and he will exercise his right to vote.

Tasmanian Senator Helen Polley also spoke out against the move. ``I truly believe the majority of Tasmanians are still opposed to same-sex marriage,'' Senator Polley said.

She said the federal government had removed a lot of discrimination from legislation but allowing marriage was ``a bridge too far''.

``I don't think that we need to change the fundamental structure of the Australian community.''

She predicted a strong anti-gay marriage campaign would target Legislative Councillors.

Ms Giddings said that she respected the views of others in the party, but she believed the majority of Tasmanians supported gay marriage.

She said that a decision had not yet been made on whether it would be a conscience vote and she was hopeful of getting support from the majority of upper house members.

Constitution issues

MS Giddings, a long time supporter of gay marriage, has previously cited legal advice against pursuing change at the state level.

However, yesterday she said she now had legal advice which suggested the state could pursue the legislation without conflicting with Commonwealth laws.

Constitutional lawyer George Williams advised the Greens last year that the Commonwealth's strict definition of marriage as between a man and a woman left the states with an option to create separate laws governing same-sex unions.

Political reaction

GREENS Leader Nick McKim said that it was an historic day for Tasmania. ``We now know that the Tasmanian House of Assembly will pass legislation to end this legally entrenched discrimination.''

The state opposition labelled it another victory for the Greens and reaffirmed its position against same-sex marriage.

``Last year Lara Giddings said it was unconstitutional, now at Mr McKim's bidding she is going to legislate for same-sex marriages in Tasmania,'' deputy leader Jeremy Rockliff said.