The Australian Greens welcome news that the New Zealand Parliament is expected to vote in favour of marriage equality legislation tonight and lament the lack of leadership being shown by the old parties on this issue in Australia.
"What a great step forward this will be for the LGBTI community and their families in New Zealand," the Greens LGBTI spokesperson, Senator Sarah Hanson-Young said.
"If all goes to plan tonight, the country will be celebrating a major win for equality and I’m already looking forward to congratulating our neighbours across the Tasman on their enormous achievement.
"The time for marriage equality has well and truly arrived and I’m pleased to see that countries like New Zealand, France and the United Kingdom are leading the charge.
"It’s time for the Prime Minister and Leader of the Opposition to stop holding up marriage equality here in Australia."
Senator Hanson-Young is available for comment before and after the New Zealand vote.
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