In 2004, Prime Minister John Howard introduced changes to the Marriage Act which saw same-sex couples unable to marry or adopt children from overseas under Australian law.

Saturday’s rally was held days after Tasmania became the first state in Australia to support same-sex marriage in both houses of Parliament.

Marriage equality campaigner Rodney Croome said the historic motion showed our Legislative Council did not need a plebiscite to endorse marriage equality.

“Every other amendment to the Marriage Act has been a vote in parliament, why not this one?” he said.

Mr Croome said a plebiscite would create a number of issues for the LGBTI community.

“Many members of the LGBTI community fear the hate campaigns that evolve in the lead up to a plebiscite,” Mr Croome said.

“The overwhelming majority of Australians are fair minded and tolerant people, the problem is a plebiscite will give the tiny minority of haters in the community the biggest platform they have ever had.”

LGBTI lobbyist Martine Delaney said a plebiscite was “nothing more than a delaying tactic”.

“Australians have given clear evidence we support marriage equality,” she said.

“Parliamentarians need to do what we pay them to do and pass the legislation.”