The motion, when carried, will be that the council: Lord Mayor Graham Quirk (left) pictured at last year's Brisbane Pride Festival, with federal MPs Teresa Gambaro (LNP) and Terri Butler (ALP), Deputy Premier Jackie Trad (ALP), state MP Grace Grace (ALP) and then-Labor lord mayoral candidate Rod Harding. Credit:Glenn Hunt Supports the legalisation of marriage between consenting adults regardless of sex, sexuality or gender identity; and Calls on the federal government to legislate for marriage equality as soon as practicable, and that council writes to the Prime Minister to that effect. Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, a supporter of marriage equality, has stuck to his predecessor Tony Abbott's policy of holding a plebiscite to decide on the matter should his government be reelected. Labor, under Opposition Leader Bill Shorten, is going to the July 2 election on a platform of legislating in favour of marriage equality, without the need of a plebiscite expected to cost in excess of $500 million.

It is understood Cr Quirk approached Cr Cumming on Tuesday regarding the motion and it was enthusiastically supported by Labor councillors. Cr Quirk said the motion was designed to coincide with next Tuesday's International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia. Cr Quirk said LNP councillors would be afforded a conscience vote, but Fairfax Media understands it will pass. "I support the important message behind the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia, which is why I will continue to promote inclusiveness," he said. The Lord Mayor said he approached Cr Cumming on Tuesday to secure a seconder and ensure the council was taking a bipartisan approach.

Cr Cumming said he was happy to support Cr Quirk's motion. "Marriage equality has been a part of Labor Party policy since 2011, so it's heartening to see that the LNP has changed their position on this issue," he said. "It was only two years ago, in 2014, that Lord Mayor Quirk initially refused to fly the rainbow flag at City Hall on the International Day Against Homophobia. "We also note that the motion calls on the federal government to legislate for marriage equality, thus avoiding an expensive and potentially divisive plebiscite. "We have always seen marriage equality as an issue of discrimination against same-sex couples and we welcome the LNP's change of heart."

Australian Marriage Equality Queensland coordinator Peter Black, who had worked with Cr Quirk to draft the motion, said he congratulated the Lord Mayor for "his leadership in intending to move this motion" next week. "It is very exciting that the Brisbane City Council will pass a bipartisan motion in support of marriage equality," he said. "This is a significant step as Brisbane is not only an LNP-controlled council, (but also) the largest local government in Australia, with a population roughly equivalent to the populations of Tasmania, the Australian Capital Territory and the Northern Territory combined. "Brisbane will also become the first council in Queensland to pass a motion in support of marriage equality." The Brisbane City Council area takes in all or parts of LNP-held federal electorates Brisbane, Bonner, Petrie and Ryan, and Labor-held electorates Griffith, Lilley, Moreton and Oxley.