Marriage equality proponents have railed against the coalition party room decision to deny Liberal and National members a free vote on changes to marriage legislation.
Prime Minister Abbott and his party have announced a plebiscite will be put to the Australian people to gauge support for marriage equality.
Australian Marriage Equality national director Rodney Croome says that “if there is going to be a plebiscite on marriage equality, it must be at the next federal election to give the next government a clear mandate to enact marriage equality.”
“Legislation is currently being drafted so parliament can set the question and so the date of the plebiscite coincides with next federal election,” Mr Croome says.
“Tony Abbott can gag his party room, but he can’t gag the Australian people who will vote strongly in favour of marriage equality at a plebiscite.”
Mr Abbott told ABC radio that “the standard position of our party that if a frontbencher cannot support the party’s policy, that person has to leave the frontbench.”
Liberal MP Warren Entsch, who raised the bill for discussion yesterday, still fully supports the legislation. “Absolutely I will be crossing the floor. But even with some support I don’t think the support is there to see it succeed.”
LGBTI spokesperson for The Greens Janet Rice believes “a plebiscite would be a costly delay tactic to find out what we already know – that over 70% of Australians support marriage equality.” Liberal Senator Eric Abetz doubts that marriage equality is in such great demand, stating that “gay men don’t want to get married,” drawing comparisons to Dolce and Gabbana. Opposition Leader Bill Shorten called Senator Abetz “a clown” in response to those comments.
While a plebiscite would survey the Australian public, the government are not legally bound to act on its findings. Many have suggested a referendum on the matter in light of recent moves in Ireland, however Mr Croome explains that a constitutional referendum is unnecessary in Australia.
“The High Court has resolved that no change to the constitution is required to enact marriage equality, and that the parliament has the power to legislate in this regard,” Mr Croome said.
“This parliament has failed to achieve marriage equality, and we need to ensure the next one has a clear mandate to enact legislation.”
OIP Staff
