Tasmania votes down same-sex marriage bill
Tasmania will not become the first Australian state or territory to legislate for same-sex marriage after the state’s Upper House today voted down a bill co-sponsored by Premier Lara Giddings and Greens Leader Nick McKim.
The Same-Sex Marriage Bill 2012 will fail to pass the Legislative Council this evening after only six MPs backed the bill in the Upper House with eight MPs already speaking against the bill.
Those to support the bill were Labor MP Craig Farrell and independents Kerry Finch, Ruth Forrest, Mike Gaffney, Tony Mulder and Rob Valentine.
Joining Liberal MP Vanessa Goodwin to vote against the bill were independents Jim Wilkinson, Paul Harriss, Rosemary Armitage, Adriana Taylor, Tania Rattray, Greg Hall and Ivan Dean.
Even if one more MP supported the bill, it was likely to be doomed with Legislative Council President Sue Smith earlier indicating she would side against the bill if it came to a deciding vote.
Debate on the bill, which passed the Lower House late last month, resumed shortly before midday after the chamber sat deep into the night on Wednesday.
Addressing the chamber first today, Elwick MLC Adriana Taylor, said though she “genuinely” struggled with how she would vote she could not support the bill.
“I think this is a sham. I wonder how many members of the same-sex community know how little this bill will do ... to recognise their union as the same as any other couple,” she said.
“This bill does not unfortunately contribute to that [cease discrimination].”
Huon MP Paul Harriss said he held grave concerns over a potential High Court challenge should the bill be passed.
“To enact this bill into law will be a bad process and thereby I am not prepared to support a second reading,” he said.
Launceston MLC Rosemary Armitage said the issue was not about homophobia or discrimination but about whether Tasmania should go it alone on same-sex marriage laws.
“If I thought it'd truly alleviate the suffering, I would support this bill,” she said.
“Differentiating is not discrimination.”
Nelson MLC James Wilkinson, who many tipped to support the bill, eventually said he could not bring himself to back the legislation.
“This is not a race. What you have to do is decide whether this bill is an appropriate bill at this time,” Wilkinson said.
“This debate, I believe, should be a federal issue.”
Mersey MLC Mike Gaffney said it was a sad day and that Tasmania had missed a great chance to introduce fairer laws.
“I feel as though we have missed a chance to right a wrong,” he said to applause from the public gallery. “I can only apologise ... Perhaps we are dinosaurs ... I am truly, truly sorry.”
REACTIONS TO COME FROM PREMIER LARA GIDDINGS AND GREENS LEADER NICK MCKIM
- Tags: Adriana Taylor, Australian Marriage Equality, Blaze, Hobart, Jim Wilkinson, Lara Giddings, Marriage Equality, MCV, Mike Gaffney, Nick McKim, Paul Harriss, Queensland Pride, Rosemary Armitage, Same Sex Marriage Bill 2012, SX, Tasmania, Tasmanian Parliament
Comments (4)
No, it isn't sad and regretful - how can it be, when common sense has prevailed?
This is a fantastic first go and I thank the Greens. It is important to remember even in New York it took more then one attempt to get legislation passed. The push to decriminalize homosexuality took more then one attempt also.
we new it was a stunt by laura and the greens. the legislative council is a joke! just another reason why tasmania is a failure, lawyers, lawyers and more lawyers they are experts at buttering there own toast ..
It is very sad and regretful that this bill has been defeated. A unique opportunity for equality has again been lost.
Hearing some of the debate clearly demonstrates how far we have come. After years of lobbying, it was great to hear that the mental health issues were being considered as central. It made me realize that MP's do actually listen even if it seems as though they don't when speaking with them.
We have made great strides and this news only fuels the fire in the movement which will someday soon reach the tipping point.