Fiona Patten to test MPs’ support for same-sex marriage

Support for same-sex marriage is set to be tested in the Victorian Parliament, with both houses to vote on the issue.

The Sex Party will move a motion in the upper house early next year calling on the federal government to change marriage laws to “better reflect equality”.

Sex Party MP Fiona Patten said a vote in favour of same-sex marriage would send a strong message to the Turnbull government even though the state Parliament could not change the marriage laws.

The Sex Party motion says marriage equality is a “fundamental step in ending discrimination” against gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) people.

Ms Patten said it would be a powerful vote of support for the LGBTI community if the Victorian Parliament endorsed same-sex marriage.

The motion rejects Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull’s insistence that a plebiscite should held on same-sex marriage although he has expressed personal support for the change.

“Why on earth does this require a plebiscite?” Ms Patten said. “It doesn’t. Polls show strong support.”

The motion said a plebiscite would be “potentially damaging” for children of same-sex parents and young LGBTI Australians.