Tasmania votes on 'same-sex marriage' Bill

The Tasmanian Legislative Council is currently debating a Bill to legalise 'same-sex marriage'.

The Bill was co-sponsored by Labor Premier Lara Giddings and Greens leader Nick McKim. The Bill was passed by the House of Assembly a few weeks ago.

The vote will be close - but the latest news is that the Bill is likely to be defeated in the Legislative Council. Read media report.

The Legislative Council has one Labor Member, one Liberal Member and 13 Independents. More news once the vote has been taken.

A key issue is that marriage is a Commonwealth matter- not one for the states - and that the law would probably be the subject of a High Court challenge (a very expensive exercise!)