Australian Greens marriage equality spokesperson Senator Robert Simms is calling on Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull to ditch the $160 million plebiscite after it was placed in the budget contingency fund.

"It's absurd that after harping on for years about a so-called budget emergency the Liberals are progressing with a $160 million plebiscite on marriage equality," Senator Simms said.

"Now for the first time we are seeing this costly plebiscite factored into the budget. Australians want marriage equality and they want to see this matter dealt with by the parliament.

Australian Greens sexuality spokesperson Senator Robert Simms's and Liberal Senator for WA Dean Smith's motion (below) to offer the Senate's deepest condolences to the family of LGBTI magazine editor Xulhaz Mannan, who was killed last week, has been supported in Parliament today.

Greens sexuality spokesperson Senator Robert Simms, a former Adelaide City Councillor, has welcomed the council's decision to progress with building a rainbow walk in Light Square in the Adelaide CBD.

"It has been a long time coming since the council agreed to my proposal of installing a rainbow walk, and it is great to hear the news that construction will start in September," Senator Simms said.

"This walk will become a symbol of diversity for Adelaide and will make such a positive statement for LGBTI South Australians."

Australian Greens sexuality spokesperson Senator Robert Simms says Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull should direct Treasurer Scott Morrison not to attend the upcoming Australian Christian Lobby national conference.

Treasurer Scott Morrison is scheduled to appear as a speaker at the conference on Saturday, April 23, in Sydney, alongside commentators who are known for their anti-LGBTI views.

Greens Senator Robert Simms has told the Victorian Local Government Association's Rainbow Working Group that local government should make the most of its potential to positively change lives and has an important role to play in promoting LGBTI rights.

The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP) support for marriage equality is further evidence of the need for the government to legislate for this reform, say the Australian Greens.

"Today's endorsement of marriage equality reflects what the advocates have been saying for some time. We know that discrimination negatively impacts on mental health and wellbeing," Greens marriage equality spokesperson Senator Robert Simms said.

South Australia and Queensland need to abolish the homophobic ‘gay panic' defence, Australian Greens sexuality spokesperson Senator Robert Simms says.

"The idea that a murder charge could be watered down in instances of an unwanted ‘homosexual advance' would be alarming to most Australians. While other states abolished the defence more than a decade ago, SA and QLD are yet to follow suit, even after QLD pledged a year ago to abolish the law," Senator Simms said.

The Australian Greens have slammed the Government's decision to wind back the Safe Schools Coalition after the conservative backbench demanded a review into the program.

"It is clear that Malcolm Turnbull has thrown LGBTI young people under the bus today by bowing to the right-wing backbench bullies and stripping back the Safe Schools program. If the likes of George Christensen can chalk this up as a victory, alarm bells will be ringing for LGBTI students and their families," Greens sexuality spokesperson Senator Robert Simms said.

I've just walked out of the Senate, where the Labor Party has just prevented another vote on marriage equality. I know the activities of Parliament this week have been confusing. So, I wanted to tell you all, straight away, the truth.

Labor have decided that waging a political war with us over Senate voting reform is more important than the love and relationships of LGBT Australians, like me. I am so disappointed. I know that many people in our community will be too.

The Greens are disappointed that the Australian Labor Party has sided with the Liberals to prevent a vote on marriage equality in the parliament today.

"Earlier today in a last ditch effort to derail senate reform, Labor tried to drag out debate on marriage equality. The Greens opposed this and instead moved to actually vote for marriage equality," Greens marriage equality spokesperson Senator Robert Simms said.