The Greens have committed to re-introducing the Marriage Equality Bill in the first session of the new Parliament, according to Senator Sarah Hanson-Young.

Senator Hanson-Young, Greens spokesperson on Sexuality and Gender Identity says the debate on her bill makes it clearer than ever that the Prime Minister and Opposition Leader are stifling discussion on an issue that is viewed as important by many Australians.

"The old parties desperately want the issue of same-sex marriage to go away, but it won't,'' Senator Hanson-Young said.

"There may have been a group of Senators voting to keep discrimination against same-sex couples being able to marry the one they love, but well over one-third of all Senators were absent for the final vote - presumably the only form of protest open to them.

"Polls show that 60 per cent of Australians believe this discrimination should be removed, so for the Government and Opposition to enforce a party line, to suggest for public consumption that their parties are 100 per cent against this bill is dishonest, and beyond believability.

"Today's vote does not end the debate - I will bring this bill back in the first session of the new sitting of Parliament, and the Greens will continue to fight for this inevitable removal of outdated discrimination until the law is changed.''

The Greens recognise the historic nature of today's debate, the first time a piece of dedicated legislation seeking to amend the Marriage Act was given time for debate in Parliament. But they believe that Australia now needs to go further.

"The bottom line remains that until this discrimination is removed, Australia is saying to same-sex couples that all Australians are equal, but some are more equal than others,'' Senator Hanson-Young said.

"In the meantime I call on all Australians who believe in true equality to let the old parties know that it's not good enough to cling to outdated notions of marriage.''

Media contact: Andrew McGarry on 0427 604 760