NSW opposition backs premier's gay stand The NSW opposition says Premier Barry O'Farrell has set an example in his support of gay marriage. NSW Liberal Party members will feel more comfortable voting for gay marriage now Premier Barry O'Farrell has come out in favour of it, Opposition leader John Robertson says. Mr Robertson has commended Mr O'Farrell for declaring his support for a change to the Marriage Act for the first time, following the New Zealand parliament's vote to legalise same-sex marriage. I think that will make other people, if we end up having a vote in the state parliament, in the Liberal Party feel a bit more comfortable voting with their conscience. A conscience vote in the New Zealand parliament passed the Marriage (Definition of Marriage) Amendment Bill on Wednesday night by 77 to 44 votes. Fairfax Media reports Mr O'Farrell would prefer federal parliament to change the Marriage Act, but he is prepared to go it alone if a parliamentary inquiry in NSW finds the state can do so. Members of the NSW Marriage Equality Working Group also welcomed Mr O'Farrell's comments, saying he reflected the "journey" many had gone through to embrace equality. "NSW now has the same political setting that led to the successful NZ vote, with both leaders supporting the reform, all parties having a conscience vote, and all sides of politics working together to progress the reform," they said in a joint statement. The statement said the working group would present parliament with a constitutionally valid bill "that will alleviate constitutional concerns and give same-sex couples in NSW the ability to marry."