He is regarded as one of the country’s most prominent advocates for the introduction of same-sex marriage but over the weekend Australian Marriage Equality national convener Alex Greenwich put politics aside for some personal happiness instead, marrying his long-term partner Victor Hoeld in a ceremony in Buenos Aires.

An online marriage equality survey conducted by the House of Representatives Social Policy and Legal Affairs committee has seen almost two thirds of respondents giving their backing to same-sex marriage after an unprecedented number of people took part.

A few days after having dinner interrupted by gay rights activists, Coalition Leader Tony Abbott refused to answer a question on marriage equality at a public forum overnight, as the East Sydney branch of the Liberal Party became the first branch within the party to pass a motion in favour of a conscience vote on the issue. 

Marriage equality advocates have welcomed comments by the head of the Anglican Church in Australia, Archbishop Phillip Aspinall, after he wrote a letter stating his belief that the introduction of marriage equality would not affect religious freedom.

A federal inquiry into marriage equality held in Sydney was told, “No one writes love songs about civil unions,” as advocates suggested the positive case they presented emphasising fairness clearly trumped “the tired old arguments” of opponents of the reform, including one fundamentalist Christian group which likened homosexuality to incest.

In a little under two hours marriage equality advocates will appear at a federal parliamentary hearing on same-sex marriage being held in Sydney today to argue that Australia has a historic opportunity to become a more equal and inclusive nation.

Advocates for equal marriage rights believe Tony Abbott is running out of arguments against same-sex marriage since his sister Christine Forster publicly came out.

Alex Dunkin looks at the state of play in South Australia regarding same-sex marriage.

The Senate inquiry into marriage equality has closed for submissions with a record number being sent to the inquiry, making the same-sex marriage bill the most supported bill in the federal parliament’s history.

Members of the Shop, Distributive and Allied Employees Association (SDA), controlled by powerful union boss and vocal same-sex marriage opponent, Joe de Bruyn, have sent a submission in support of the reform to the current Senate inquiry into marriage equality.

A Catholic Church campaign against same-sex marriage has failed in the desired effect with a record number of marriage equality supporters making submissions to the Senate Inquiry and to their local MPs.

Olympic gold medal winning beach volleyballer Natalie Cook has become the latest high-profile Australian to give public support to same-sex marriage, saying the introduction of marriage equality would “be great for this country”.

In case our federal representatives fail to represent the strong support for marriage equality when they vote on the matter later this year, we know their state Coalition and Labor colleagues are ready to. 

South Australia has become the first state to allow a full free vote for both major parties on the issue of same-sex marriage legislation.

The Federal Minister for Early Childhood and Childcare Kate Ellis has joined the majority in Federal Cabinet who will vote in favour of same-sex marriage.