LNP Senator Sue Boyce expresses her support for a bill to recognise overseas same-sex marriages in Australia.
A LIBERAL senator who crossed the floor to vote in favour of recognising same-sex couples who wed overseas has been praised for acting "with her heart and her mind", even though the bill was overwhelmingly defeated.
Senator Sue Boyce's support wasn't enough to carry the bill to amend the Marriage Act, so that same-sex marriages in foreign countries including New Zealand were recognised under Australian law.
The private member's bill, moved by the Australian Greens, was shot down in the Senate on Thursday by 44 votes to 28.
DLP senator John Madigan again called for a federal referendum on same sex marriage after the vote.
"We're often told that a majority wants same-sex marriage, well I'm saying put it to the people," Senator Madigan said.
He vowed to push for a referendum to define the definition of marriage as just between a man and a woman.
Senator Boyce said such a referendum would fail because it was a "disgusting and immoral idea".
She said she didn't favour the "backdoor" approach the Greens were taking to build groundswell support for same-sex marriage.
But she supported gay marriage, and as this bill would bring that closer to reality, she defied the party line to support it.
"There is no reason not to allow same-sex mariage in Australia," she said.
"I believe that this bill will assist us in moving towards that, and if we are to vote on this bill I will be supporting it."
Opposition Leader Tony Abbott said he didn't counsel Senator Boyce against voting for the bill, and defended her right to cross the floor even though the coalition does not support changes to the Marriage Act.
"People on our side of the political fence have always had the right if they feel strongly enough about something to make their own decision," Mr Abbott said.
Greens senator Sarah Hanson-Young said Senator Boyce's decision to cross the floor was an important step, and congratulated her for voting with "her heart and her mind".
Finance Minister Penny Wong said Mr Abbott had ensured the legislation would fail by refusing to allow opposition MPs a conscience vote.
Senator Wong, who is in a same-sex relationship, also hit out at the "hurtful and divisive" debate on gay marriage but said she respected that some people held different views.
"What I do disagree with however is their right to impose that opinion on me and upon others in my situation," she told the upper house.
"It (marriage) is special, it is unique ... and that is why those of us who are in same-sex relationships also want to be able to demonstrate our love and commitment through marriage."
Senator Wong's home state of South Australia introduced a bill in state parliament on Thursday to allow same-sex marriage.
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