'Inevitable': Gillard tells gay couples on marriage equality

The removal of discrimination against same-sex couples wanting to marry in Australia is only a matter of time, the Prime Minister Julia Gillard has told marriage equality advocates.

During a dinner with three same-sex couples at The Lodge last night, Gillard said she believed marriage equality in Australia is “inevitable”.

Reforms in a growing number of countries is placing increasing pressure on other nations to follow suit, Gillard said.

Among the couples at the dinner were Sharon Dane, 54, and Elaine Crump, 53.

"Although she said she opposed marriage equality, we were given hope that her opposition was not immovable," they said.

The pair has exchanged marriage vows in Canada, where same-sex marriage is permitted.

Sydney couple Sandy Miller and Louise Burke brought their two sons – Matthew, 12 and Dylan, 9 – to the dinner.

"The Prime Minister made the point that the more countries that embrace this reform, the clearer it becomes that this is a reform whose time has come," they said.

The third couple was John Dini and Steve Russell. They both reside in Gillard’s electorate.

The men made it clear that support for gay marriage was widespread, including in the Prime Minister’s own electorate of Lalor.

Australian Marriage Equality convenor Alex Greenwich, also in attendance, said the outcome of the dinner was positive and gave cause for optimism

“The Prime Minister listened carefully to the case for equality, and gave us all hope when she said the reform would happen one day.”

The dinner was won at a charity auction last year by Australian Marriage Equality and GetUp!