Fed:Gay marriage moves step closer

AAP General News (Australia)
12-03-2011
Fed:Gay marriage moves step closer

Same-sex marriage is two conscience votes in federal parliament away from becoming
law in Australia.

The Labor party voted today at its national conference 208 to 184 in favour of a motion
by Prime Minister JULIA GILLARD to allow state and federal MPs a conscience vote on gay
marriage.

It also endorsed, on the voices, an historic amendment to the party's platform to change
the Marriage Act and allow gay and lesbian people to marry.

It's now believed a Labor MP, who is yet to be named, will be the first to introduce
a bill to parliament when it sits next year.

The Labor minority government has a two vote buffer in the lower house and if the coalition
allows a conscience vote, the bill could succeed.

If it doesn't, the result will depend on all Labor MPs backing the legislation.

AAP RTV pjo/klm/crh

KEYWORD: LABOR (SYDNEY)

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