Victorian ALP supports gay marriages

The Victorian ALP has increased pressure on the federal government to allow same-sex
marriages after passing a motion supporting gay unions at its state conference.
A meeting of the party faithful in Melbourne on Saturday called for the federal
government to change the Marriage Act to allow gay couples to marry.
A similar motion was passed at Tasmania's state Labor conference in July.
The state conference also called on the commonwealth attorney-general to refrain
from interfering with the ACT government's steps towards relationship equality.
Australian Marriage Equality spokesperson Alex Greenwich said the action by the
Victorian ALP would increase pressure on Prime Minister Kevin Rudd to change the
Marriage Act.
"Grass-roots delegates of the Labor Party are clearly in touch with the fact that
the majority of Australians support this reform, and now they are demanding Kevin
Rudd also heed public opinion", Mr Greenwich said in a statement.
"What we are seeing is a growing revolt in Labor ranks to affirm traditional Labor
values like equality and oppose the disproportionate influence of the religious
right."
The Australian Coalition for Equality also welcomed the move.
Spokesperson Corey Irlam said the vote endorsing same-sex marriage and the ACT's
right to a civil partnership ceremony was "a strong sign that ALP rank and file
members support full equality for same-sex couples".
The ACT's Legislative Assembly has passed laws for legally binding civil union
ceremonies between same-sex couples.
Two previous attempts to recognise civil union ceremonies were rejected by both the
Rudd government and the Howard government.