Former NSW Premier Kristina Keneally expressed her support for marriage equality on national TV overnight, gaining praise from LGBT marriage advocates.

In last night’s episode of ABC panel program, Q&A, Ms Keneally said, "Labor and Liberal make the argument that the family is the basic building block of society. We all know that married families have a whole range of benefits - they live longer, they make more money. A whole bunch of studies back that up. Then why, why, why, don't we grant all families the right to be married?"

Marriage equality advocates have welcomed support for the issue from former NSW Premier.

Australian Marriage Equality National Convener, Alex Greenwich, said Ms Keneally's statement highlights that marriage equality is pro-family and pro-marriage.

"Ms Keneally's support for marriage equality is a reminder that allowing same-sex marriages is about strengthening family bonds and upholding the values of marriage", Mr Greenwich said.

"Given Ms Keneally's strong, publicly-declared Catholicism, her statement also shatters the myth that politicians with strong Christian beliefs are against same-sex couples marrying."

"I urge all politicians who believe in family values to follow Ms Keneally's example by supporting this reform."

In the evening's program philosopher Raymond Gaita also declared his support for marriage equality.

Speaking of same-sex attracted people Mr Gaita said "it is not an exaggeration to say it (the denial of the right to marry) is a denial of their full humanity".

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