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THE Legislative Council is now the final hurdle to Tasmania becoming the first place in Australia to allow same-sex marriage.
Across the nation, people watched four hours of live debate in the House of Assembly before the Same Sex Marriage Bill was passed 13 votes to 11.
Speaker and Lyons Labor MHA Michael Polley crossed the floor to vote against the bill, and afterwards the Opposition slammed a speech by Braddon Lyons MHA Brenton Best that dredged up claims he has already been forced to apologise for.
It was the first time a co-sponsored bill had been introduced into the lower house and brings the state a step closer to, in effect, sidestepping federal law which specifies that marriage is an act between a man and a woman.
It was an important day for Mr McKim who has pushed for same-sex marriage through the Tasmanian Parliament since 2005.
He said that MHAs voting in favour were writing themselves into the history books and ``sending a very clear message to our federal counterparts'' that action in Canberra was needed.
A packed gallery watched as each Labor and Greens MHA stood up in support of the legislation. Many spoke emotionally of heavy lobbying from both sides of the debate and of personal experiences; with minister David O'Byrne brought to tears.
Opposition Leader Will Hodgman spoke against the motion on behalf of his party.
He said members were not denied a conscience vote, but did not request one.
The Legislative Council is expected to debate the bill late next month with that vote anticipated to go down to the wire.
THE Legislative Council is now the final hurdle to Tasmania becoming the first place in Australia to allow same-sex marriage.
Across the nation, people watched four hours of live debate in the House of Assembly before the Same Sex Marriage Bill was passed 13 votes to 11.
Speaker and Lyons Labor MHA Michael Polley crossed the floor to vote against the bill, and afterwards the Opposition slammed a speech by Braddon Lyons MHA Brenton Best that dredged up claims he has already been forced to apologise for.
It was the first time a co-sponsored bill had been introduced into the lower house and brings the state a step closer to, in effect, sidestepping federal law which specifies that marriage is an act between a man and a woman.
It was an important day for Mr McKim who has pushed for same-sex marriage through the Tasmanian Parliament since 2005.
He said that MHAs voting in favour were writing themselves into the history books and ``sending a very clear message to our federal counterparts'' that action in Canberra was needed.
A packed gallery watched as each Labor and Greens MHA stood up in support of the legislation. Many spoke emotionally of heavy lobbying from both sides of the debate and of personal experiences; with minister David O'Byrne brought to tears.
Opposition Leader Will Hodgman spoke against the motion on behalf of his party.
He said members were not denied a conscience vote, but did not request one.
The Legislative Council is expected to debate the bill late next month with that vote anticipated to go down to the wire.
EARLIER:
Debate on legislation to make Tasmania the first Australian state to allow gay couples to legally marry has begun before a packed gallery in the Tasmanian Parliament.
Premier Lara Giddings and Greens Leader Nick McKim are co-sponsoring the historic Same Sex Marriage Bill.
Ms Giddings opened the debate a short time ago and told Parliament the time has come for gay couples to celebrate their love in the same way as heterosexual couples.
She said the legislation will send a strong message to young gay men and women they are valued and equal members.
She said she had received a lot of mail opposing same-sex marriage, but moral disapproval was no reason to deny or curtail another's rights.
The bill will be passed with Labor and the Greens support while the Liberal Party will vote against it as a block.