The Greens have asked the Liberal and Labor parties to permit their senators to exercise a conscience vote when a move to allow same-sex marriage comes before the Senate today.

Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young will move an amendment to the Same-Sex Relationships (Equal Treatment in Commonwealth Laws – General Law Reform) Bill 2008 – also known as the Same-Sex Omnibus Bill – to make the Marriage Act gender-neutral.

“Let’s make today the day that the Senate votes for true equality for same-sex couples,” she said.

“This is an important matter of conscience on which all Senators should be granted a free vote.

“Both Labor and Liberal have trumpeted their commitment to removing discrimination against same-sex couples in Commonwealth law.

“However, the Marriage Act has been a glaring omission from the suite of bills that will bring us into a new age of equality for same-sex couples.

“The Greens are hopeful that, with a conscience vote, the issue will be debated fully, and party lines will be overridden by the understanding that true equality in law for same-sex couples includes the right to marry.

“Recent polls* have shown that the majority of Australians support same-sex marriage – it’s time for the parliament’s actions to reflect that.”

Media contact: Gemma Clark on 0427 604 760

* Including readers’ poll in The Age, 2 May 2008 and iGeneration poll, West Australian, January 2008.