Civil celebrant Ron Egeberg said it was time politicians showed “leadership and courage” and supported the bill introduced by libertarian senator David Leyonhjelm in November. 

Last week, pressure continued to mount on the Liberal Party to allow a free vote on same-sex marriage.

Senator Leyonhjelm has previously threatened to block government legislation if MPs are not allowed to properly debate the proposed legislation. 

Labor MPs are allowed a conscience vote on the matter, but Liberal MPs are not. 

Mr Egeberg, who is openly gay and in a committed relationship of more than 20 years, said the Ballarat community supported the introduction of same-sex marriage and new political action was required. 

He told The Courier sexual orientation was no more chosen than gender identity, appearance, disability, mental illness or race. “We are in the enlightened 21st century, not the bigotry of previous decades,” Mr Egeberg said. “Over three quarters of Australians support same-sex marriage and a passing of this bill would align our politicians with the current thinking of a majority of the country on this matter.”

The purpose of the bill is to amend the Marriage Act to allow marriage between same-sex couples, as well as transgender and intersex Australians.

It is likely Senator Lenyonhjelm’s second-reading speech will trigger a parliamentary debate on the bill. 

Senator Leyonhjelm is set to make his second-reading speech on his “freedom to marry” bill on Thursday, urging the Liberal Party to decide whether it will allow a free vote on the issue at their party room meeting on March 31.

Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott has long been a staunch opponent of same-sex marriage but he maintained prior to the federal election in 2013 that the question of a free vote on the issue would be a matter for the post-election party room. 

melissa.cunningham@fairfaxmedia.com.au