High profile Australian supporters of marriage equality have joined forces to encourage people to talk about the importance of letting gays and lesbians marry when they spend time with family this holiday season.

A new online video campaign by advocacy group Australian Marriage Equality (AME) features Tasmanian Premier Lara Giddings, Labor Senator Louise Pratt, Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young, former Australian Medical Association head Professor Kerryn Phelps, independent Sydney MP Alex Greenwich and NSW Greens Legislative Council member Cate Faehrmann.

A parliamentary motion to stop the federal government from challenging state same-sex marriage laws has failed in the Australian parliament.

Marriage equality proponent Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young brought the motion to the Senate today but it was defeated by 38 votes to 10.

A short debate on marriage equality in the Australian Senate has been held but has failed to shed light on the prospects if a vote is held on the issue, with only four senators speaking during the allotted time.

First to speak was the bill’s author, Greens party Senator Sarah Hanson-Young, who told the parliament that the bill had been amended to further address the concerns of religious opponents who feared that they would be made to solemnize marriages that weren’t in accordance with their faith.

Debate on a marriage equality bill in the Australian Senate is expected to begin as soon as Thursday, after the bill’s author, Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young announced she would use private member’s time to begin the debate.

A video that suggests same-sex marriage will lead to polyamorous marriages with multiple partners has been condemned as ‘scaremongering’ by Australian Marriage Equality.

Introduced by the words ‘Marriage Equality, no consequences? Wait a minute…’ the video uses edits of high court judge Michael Kirby’s submission to the senate inquiry into legalizing same-sex marriage and an radio interview with polyamorist Rachelle White (scroll down to watch the video).