THE adoption of marriage equality as part of the Australian Labor Party platform has been welcomed by Ballarat politicians and community members as a long-overdue recognition of human rights. Government members will be granted a conscience vote on the issue when a bill comes before the Federal parliament next year, following votes at the ALP National Conference in Sydney yesterday. Victorian conference delegate and state Upper House member Jaala Pulford voted for the reforms, which she said were in keeping with the ALP’s tradition of supporting equality. “For the people in committed same-sex relationships or people who one day hope to be, this is a great development, and many people were ready for this change to occur.” While a bill introduced into the current parliament would be unlikely to pass, Ms Pulford said the debate now rested with Opposition Leader Tony Abbott. She called for Mr Abbott to offer a conscience vote to opposition MPs. “It will be interesting to watch what members of the federal Coalition do now in the area of marriage equality,” she said. Soldiers Hill couple Ron Egeberg and Brenton Thomas, who have been in a relationship for 15 years, welcomed the decision. “We see ourselves as going into the twilight very happy, and we feel embraced by our community,” Mr Egeberg said. “I was supportive of the process put in place by Senator Penny Wong and was also particularly pleased Jaala Pulford was prepared to argue for a change in the platform.” He noted recent opinion polls that show that more than 60 per cent of Australians are in favour of same-sex marriage becoming law. Mr Thomas said it was unfortunate that ALP members would be allowed a conscience vote on the issue and would not be bound by the party platform. “To me it’s all a matter of equality for all people, and while this does do that, I would have preferred government members all vote for same-sex marriage.” Mr Thomas predicted that gay couples would be afforded the right to marry within five years. “I don’t know if I would like to get married, but I believe the option should be extended to everyone regardless of circumstances of their relationship. “It too bad for religious institutions — we’re a secular society and religion shouldn’t come into the Marriage Act any longer,” he said. Mr Abbott yesterday said Coalition MPs could speak openly on the issue in the party room, but he would not say if they will be given a conscience vote.Follow @TomMcIlroy