The Australian Greens will introduce an updated marriage equality bill to the Senate, following a British vote which has paved the way for same sex couples to marry.
The controversial British legislation was passed by 400 votes to 175.
Greens senator Sarah Hanson Young will today introduce a slightly updated version of her Marriage Equality Amendment Bill 2010 which already is before the Senate.
News that makes sense
Your trusted source for staying up-to-date with the world around you. Get free daily news updates and analysis, straight to your inbox.
Last year both houses of the Australian parliament rejected a same sex marriage bill, sponsored by Labor backbenchers.
A group of Australian marriage celebrants is also applauding the British vote to introduce gay marriage – and is urging the Federal Government to follow suit.
Sarah Cummings, founder of Engage Celebrants, said, “The UK Government has set a clear example to the Australian Government. We are fortunate to see the amazing love stories that same sex couples share – they are just as strong and lasting as the heterosexual couples we marry. However, they are forced to go abroad to seek legal recognition of their relationship. We look forward to the day when we can legally marry gay couples in Australia.”
Engage Celebrants will be showing its support for marriage equality by marching in Sydney's Mardi Gras parade next month – the first time Marriage Celebrants have
joined the parade.
Australian Marriage Equality, national convener, Rodney Croome, says Australia is falling behind other countries despite the majority of the community supporting
the reform.
Mr Croome said Prime Minister Julia Gillard's opposition to same-sex marriage and Opposition Leader Tony Abbott's refusal to allow a conscience vote showed both were out of step.
He said many Australian couples would travel to Britain, or even use UK consulates at home, to marry if the bill becomes law.
"It is sad that these couples will not have their marriages recognised under the law of the country they live in," he said.
A same-sex marriage bill was passed in Mr Croome's home state, Tasmania, last year before being narrowly defeated in the state's upper house.
The issue was a trending topic on social media sites, with many Australian users supporting Britain's move and suggesting that Prime Minister Julia Gillard is now under pressure to change the law.
"Well done, UK, putting the Great back into Britain. Now for Australia to catch up," one Twitter user posted, reported News Limited.
Australian Medical Association past president Professor Kerryn Phelps thanked British Prime Minister David Cameron for his leadership.
"It means so much to so many, even on the other side of the world," she added on Twitter.
"There is no justification for Australia continuing to refuse recognition of legal international same-sex marriages."
Melbourne-based Reuben Acciano added: "Don't be on the wrong side of history @Julia Gillard."
"Obama's flagged it as inevitable, now the UK. Listen."
And Sydney-based Steven Sommer posted: "Marriage equality has been passed in the UK with a conservative government in power. Why can't this happen in Australia with a Labor gvmnt?"
