The Upper House in South Australia is on Wednesdsay to debate a motion which would formally congratulate New Zealand for legalising equal marriage earlier this year.

Advocates of equal marriage in South Australia have welcomed the motion, which will be presented to the Upper House on Wednesday.

It would formerly congratulate the New Zealand Parliament for working together in order to enact equal marriage legislation.

Gay rights campaigners in Australia praised New Zealand after it became the 13th country to legalise equal marriage, back in April.

The motion will go to a vote in the Upper House of South Australia on Wednesday evening.

South Australian convenor of Australian Marriage Equality, Harley Schumann, said: “The New Zealand Parliament has achieved an historic outcome by recognising marriage rights for same-sex couples and we support the South Australian Parliament expressing its congratulations through this motion.

“A major factor leading to the recognition of same-sex marriage in New Zealand was the cooperation by politicians from both ends of the political spectrum and this is something that should be congratulated and encouraged.”

He continued to say that the bill carries no legislative force, but that it is intended to send a strong message of solidarity.

“Whilst the motion would not create any substantive benefits to same-sex couples in South Australia, it is an important initiative and a strong sign of respect and admiration for the New Zealand Parliament.”

He went on to welcome the fact that both major parties in South Australia have allowed a conscience vote on the motion.

“Same-sex marriage is clearly an issue on which politicians should be entitled to vote according to their own personal choice and it is encouraging that both major parties have let their members do so in relation to this motion.”

“We hope that the major parties do not change their position on this and continue to allow a conscience vote when the SA Parliament deals with its own same-sex marriage Bill later this year.”

Earlier in June, a Green Party MP in Australia accused the Labor Party of delaying a vote on a private members bill to legalise equal marriage.

Following the first same-sex wedding to take place in France, Australian advocates of equal marriage have now begun to call for the recognition of overseas same-sex marriages.

Despite that many in Australia commended New Zealand for its equal marriage bill, Australia’s Prime Minister, Julia Gillard, said she wouldn’t be dropping her opposition to marriage equality.