Governor-General Quentin Bryce's open support for same-sex marriage will be hugely influential across all voter groups, Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young says.
Ms Bryce said during a lecture in Sydney on Friday she hoped for Australia to become a nation where "people are free to love and marry whom they choose".
At a marriage equality rally in Melbourne on Saturday, Ms Hanson-Young said the comment represented the desires and the aspirations of Australians to have a fair, decent country.
"(The governor-general) is using her position to speak and give voice to the aspirations of many Australians," Ms Hanson-Young said.
"Australia is falling behind.
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"To have the governor-general step forward and say this is something Australians care about, and as the governor-general, she believes that marriage equality is a human right ... it's hugely influential across all voter groups.
Ms Hanson-Young rejected criticism Ms Bryce had attracted for her comments, saying it was an issue that should be above politics.
