Tasmania could become the first state to legalise same sex marriage after it tabled legislation that seeks to remove traditional legal barriers.

 

Premier Lara Giddings and State Greens Leader, Nick McKim, co-sponsored the bill which is due for debate before parliament this week.

 

"I am committed to this reform because I fundamentally believe in ending discrimination wherever it exists," Ms Giddings said.

 

"It was not that long ago that Tasmania was the laughing stock of the country, as the only state in Australia where intolerance against homosexual people was still enshrined in legislation.

 

Recent polling indicates that 61 per cent of Tasmanians back same-sex marriage, with 54 per cent of Tasmanians believing their state should go ahead with the legislation regardless of what the Federal Government does.

 

The announcement comes after the South Australian Premier, Jay Weatherill, publically voiced his support for legalising same-sex marriage.