A NSW union official has called on Labor to support a plebiscite on same-sex marriage as the fastest way to achieve equality for gay and lesbian Australians.
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Dermot Ryan, chief of staff to the Transport Workers' Union of Australia, has written to Opposition Leader Bill Shorten, deputy leader Tanya Plibersek and Labor MPs in a personal capacity, calling on politicians to trust Australians to vote "yes" in a plebiscite.
A dual Irish and Australian citizen in a long term same-sex relationship, Mr Ryan chairs the Irish Friends of Labor group in NSW. He argued even a divisive plebiscite campaign could be less damaging than a further delay of up to three years.
He praised the work of Australian Labor and its Irish equivalent in progressing positive social change while warning Labor could be complicit in blocking same-sex couples from marrying.
Labor is yet to decide if it will join the Greens and the Nick Xenophon Team in voting against enabling legislation when it comes before the Senate.
The government is planning for a plebiscite in February 2017, asking voters "do you approve of a law to permit people of the same sex to marry?".
Mr Ryan said he wished federal Parliament would hold a free vote on same-sex marriage "and get it done".
"However, it looks increasingly possible that by holding to this position, our great party could find itself complicit in making same sex couples wait another three years - if not more - to be treated equally with the broader community.
"I put it to you that yes, a public debate and plebiscite may be painful, but nowhere near as painful as making families wait even longer to be recognised as equal citizens," he said.
"We need to trust the Australian people, and the great tradition of the Australian Labor Party by remaining focussed on what will achieve the end result and impact the lives of Australians in loving families."
In the letter, Mr Ryan rebutted concerns raised by Grainne Healy, one of the leaders in the 2015 Irish referendum "yes" case, who said the campaign had been "brutal" for gay and lesbian people and their families.
Dr Healey said some Irish advocates needed counselling after abuse and hate speech from reform opponents and called on MPs to stop Australia from seeing an unnecessary plebiscite campaign.
"I am someone who hopes to soon be in a position to marry my partner in our adopted country of Australia - just as we can in our home country," Mr Ryan said.
"I am close to many others who were involved in the [Irish] campaign, and there is another story to tell.
"Yes, it was a campaign that was at times brutal, however, it was also a hugely positive experience, through which the country had a massive conversation; people's views were heard; the community's concerns were listened to and addressed; and people were allowed to express reservations and discuss their fears."
He said the May 2015 vote that saw 62 per cent support for same-sex marriage had reflected positively on the Irish people.
"Once the successful result was achieved, Ireland has now accepted the result, broadly united, and moved on."
