Hobart City Council has voted in support of marriage equality, and called on the Federal Government to make it happen.

The Hobart council says marriage should be expanded in the name of social inclusion, and it will now write to the Federal Government to call for a conscience vote.

Lord Mayor Sue Hickey said council members were well-versed in both sides of the debate, and have agreed that the Federal Government should prioritise debates on changes to the Marriage Act.

“The council decided that it was core business because it's about social inclusion,” she told the ABC.

“I think the view of the council was that society is changing and, at some level of government, a little bit of courage has got to be taken to stand up and reflect the changing social norms.

“We can't change the law, it has to go to the Federal Parliament but what we are saying is that, as representatives of the community, the Hobart City Council decided to support this motion.

“We've got to show a bit of leadership and say; ‘Well any loving God would not discriminate on this basis. You certainly can't discriminate by any other level by law’”.

The agreement was well received by advocates at the council meeting this week.

“From my point of view, as a mother of two young children, it's really important that my children grow up with tolerance and understanding, and that they be accepted as they are, as our family is,” said chairperson of Rainbow Communities Tas Inc, Deidre Murray.

“My children go to school thinking that having two mums is normal, and I expect their normal to be valued and respected as every other child's is.”

The Hobart Council’s move stands in contrast to a similar vote before the Launceston City Council, which saw a gay marriage motion lose by eight votes to three.