AUSTRALIA: State Of Tasmania Recognizes Gay Marriages From Other Countries

The legislature of the Australian island state of Tasmania has voted to recognize same-sex marriages and civil unions from other jurisdictions.

Only three of the 25 Lower House MPs voted against the amendment to the Relationships Act - Liberal members Rene Hidding, Michael Ferguson and Jacqui Petrusma. Attorney-General Lara Giddings says the changes will remove discrimination for same-sex couples in registered relationships. "This is really a small step, but a significant and important step for those people who have registered or been through a civil union process elsewhere around the world and want us to recognise that relationship as indeed being in existence," she said.

(Tipped by JMG reader Jonny)