Tasmanian Premier Supports Motion for Same-Sex Marriage

The head of Tasmania's executive government endorses same-sex marriage but says she won't "go it alone."

According to The Australian, Premier Lara Giddings supports a parliamentary motion urging Australia's federal government to legalize marriage equality, but says the state won't officially change the definition of marriage until the rest of the Australian Labor Party is on board.

On Tuesday, a measure in state parliament calling on the federal government to amend the Marriage Act was tabled despite the efforts of the Tasmanian Green party, who have repeatedly tried legalize marriage in Tasmania.

"I can say that there is strong support for this within the parliamentary Labor party, as there is within the state branch of the Australian Labor Party," Ms. Giddings said, adding that she will not move to legalize same-sex marriage but hopes the Prime Minister will take the Tasmanian government's position on board.

"What I'd certainly say to the Prime Minister in that respect is that it is important to listen to what Tasmanians are saying. But we of course are not the decision makers in relation to this, the Prime Minister has to articulate the views of the Australian views as a whole."

A recent survey says that 59% of Tasmanians support same-sex marriage.

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