TASMANIA VOTES AGAINST GAY MARRIAGE

The Australian state of Tasmania’s first attempt to pass legislation legalising same-sex marriage has been defeated.

The bill received eight votes against and six votes for in the state’s Upper House following a two day debate.

A number of legislators opposed to the bill said that it was hastily put together, had constitutional implications and could lead to court action.

Premier Lara Giddings said she was disappointed at the outcome but committed her government to continue to press ahead with efforts to back marriage equality in her state.

“It concerns me that some members have hidden behind legal arguments and cost implications to vote against what is at its heart a fundamental issue of equal rights for same sex couples,” she said in a statement.

She went on to say: “My personal belief in the need to remove this last example of discrimination against same sex couples in our society has not been diminished. It is a cause I will continue to champion.”