Tasmanian Premier Lara Giddings promised the support of the Labor Party in the Australian state, which she also heads, for a same-sex marriage motion filed in the state parliament on Tuesday.

Ms Giddings said 10 Labor MPs would vote for the motion introduced by Greens leader and Education Minister Nick McKim when the lower house votes on the motion Wednesday.

The motion asked the commonwealth to legalise same-sex marriages, which would extend benefits to partners of such unions similar to those given to heterosexual couples.

If the motion would be approved, Tasmania would make history by being the first Australian state to back marriage equality in the country. The motion is expected to be easily approved because of the Labor support and the Liberal Party allowing caucus members to vote according to their conscience and not along party lines.

"Tasmania could lead the way from being the last Australian state to decriminalise homosexuality to the first to endorse equality, with all the social and economic benefits that would follow," Mr McKim was quoted by Star Online.

"While the Greens' motion would not legalise same-sex marriage in Tasmania, it would send a strong signal to federal parliamentarians that they must get in step with community opinion on this issue.... If we want to send a message that sexuality-based discrimination in our community is unacceptable, we need to remove the discrimination that remains entrenched in out law," Mr McKim added.

Besides enhancing Tasmania's legislature's status in Australia's political map, the motion is also expected to boost the state's economy. According to the Australian Marriage Equality, Tasmania's economy would grow by up to $136 million if the motion leads to legalisation of same-sex marriage in the state.

Ms Giddings stressed Tasmania is not pushing now for legalisation of gay unions.

"The legal advice that I have says we cannot go it alone, because the Marriage Act is very much a commonwealth piece of legislation.... What we have done is go as far as we possibly can in assisting civil unions in that respect, and looking that we ensure that those relationships are given the widest protection," Bigpond News quoted Ms Giddings.

Tasmania's Anglican Church, however, urged the Commonwealth to ignore the state parliament's motion. The Right Reverend John Harrower, Anglican Bishop of Tasmania, said he supports the recognition of homosexual relationships through civil unions, but would stop at redefining marriage.

"Words have meaning, they're set in context, in culture, and this particular word has the treasured meaning of a man and woman coming together in love for a lifetime union together," Mr Harrower told ABC News.

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