A BALLARAT couple believe a referendum is the best way to determine whether same-sex marriages should be legalised in Australia.
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Snez Kosanovic and her United States born partner Alison Brown De Moreno believe the nation’s view on marriage equality is not reflected in the current law.
The pair’s call follows a US Supreme Court decision which legalised same sex marriages in America last week.
“We are very, very happy about the laws, it’s a big step forward,” Ms Kosanovic said.
Last Saturday, a US Supreme Court ruled that same-sex marriage was a legal right.
The court ruled 5-4 that laws banning same-sex marriage should be overturned.
Ms Kosanovic and Ms Brown De Moreno have been together since 2007, but made their relationship official when registering as a defacto at Births, Deaths and Marriages Victoria in 2010.
However, Ms Brown De Moreno said this was the couples only option.
Initially Ms Kosanovic wanted to move to the US, but the laws at the time made it difficult for defacto relationships to seek residency.
“The US was a bit more unreasonable when it came to same-sex relationships,” Ms Brown De Moreno said.
“The average Australian is a lot more accepting.”
Ms Brown De Moreno said she’d rather wait until same-sex marriage was legalised and get married in Australia, than return to the US to get hitched.
“The laws might have changed but it will take a while to change public opinion,” she said.
Ms Kosanovic said a referendum, not a conscience vote by politicians, should determine whether the same laws could be lifted in Australia.
“It should go to a referendum instead of them making a decision on our behalf,” she said.
“I understand that they are employed to represent the community.”
She blames Prime Minister Tony Abbott for blurring his personal beliefs with politics.
“He can’t maintain his personal beliefs and he needs to work in support of the people,” she said.
The federal coalition has been opposed to introducing same-sex marriage laws.
Labor currently supports a conscience vote on gay marriage.
Britain, New Zealand, America and Ireland have redefined marriage to include gay couples.