Australia's same-sex marriage campaigners say the momentum towards achieving marriage equality is "unstoppable" following the ruling Labor Party's vote to endorse it at its national conference. It came as around 5,000 people rallied outside the conference centre in Sydney on Saturday to show their support for the motion. Australian Marriage Equality National Convener Alex Greenwich says a major obstacle to reform has been removed. "Today is a day of celebration for those ordinary Australians - gay and straight, young and old, city and country - who have called out for equality and had their voices answered." However he is expressing disappointment Labor MPs have been given a conscience vote, thanks to a motion by Prime Minister Julia Gillard. "A major obstacle to reform has been removed and we are prepared to face the new challenge we have been given of achieving reform with a Labor conscience vote," Greenwich adds. Mr Greenwich said there is more support for marriage equality in Coalition ranks than many people believe and called on Opposition Leader, Tony Abbott, to allow a conscience vote. "Marriage equality is not about left versus right, it is about love and commitment, which are values we all hold dear." Recent opinion polls have shown a majority of Australians are in favour of allowing same-sex marriage and several states already allow civil unions between gay couples. Labor backbencher Stephen Jones has said he will move a private member's bill to allow same-sex marriage next year.
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Sunday, 4th December 2011 - 4:35pm