The Greens have joined forces with Labor and Senator Derryn Hinch to create a Senate inquiry on marriage equality as well as the Coalition government’s draft bill to amend the Marriage Act.

Senator Janet Rice, LGBTIQ spokesperson for the Australian Greens, said in a statement, “Ditching the plebiscite has paved the way for the Parliament to decide on marriage equality. The only way we’re going to achieve marriage equality is through co-operation from all sides of Parliament.”

The inquiry has been welcomed by marriage equality organisations, Australians for Equality & Australian Marriage Equality (AME).

In a statement released at the end of November, AME stated “Australians for Equality (A4E) & Australian Marriage Equality today said it is clear that the majority of the nation backs marriage equality and any inquiry must be about working towards a clear pathway to equality in 2017.”

Co-Chair of AME, Alex Greenwhich, also highlighted the many inquiries that have happened in the past decade to allow Australians the ability to express their support for marriage equality.

“For the first time we have proposed legislation from a Government to change the Marriage Act. This inquiry has the potential to build on this legislation and achieve marriage equality” Greenwich stated.

Anna Brown, Co-chair of Australians for Equality, noted that two-thirds of Australians support marriage equality as well as a majority of politicians.

“Marriage equality will not change anything for the vast majority of Australians, but will make a profound difference to the status and dignity of many,” Brown said.

She added, “We will continue to engage with politicians and Australians from all walks of life to remind them that this is about the lives and aspirations of every people. It is about our friends, families, neighbours and colleagues.  Our campaign will continue to remind our MPs that fairness and equality are at the heart of Australian society. Marriage is about the commitment shared between two people who love each other and want a secure future. This is good for our community and our nation.”

The inquiry has also been supported by PFLAG with the group emphasising a focus on the religious exemptions in the bill.

Shelley Argent, national spokesperson for PFLAG, said about the religious exemptions, “I believe this is the main concern regarding which is slowing, the passing of legislation for same sex attracted couples right to marry their person of choice.”

She noted that the organisation believes Ministers and Priests should be permitted the exemption just as they are given the right to refuse to marry divorcees. Argent continued to say, “However, we do not believe florists, bakers, or any other business should have the right to refuse service to LGBTI couples or any other minority.

“Once the final decision is handed down from this Inquiry, we call on the Government to allow a Free Vote as soon as possible.”