The Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has told parliament that he’s confident marriage equality will be achieved in Australia via a plebiscite held sometime during the next parliamentary term.
Mr Turnbull was responding to a question from Labor MP Terri Butler who suggest that the PM dump his expensive plebiscite option in favour of a free ote among parliamentarians.
“Yes, it will take more time. Yes, it will cost more money,” the PM told parliament.
“Yes, in my view it will be carried, but time will tell.”
Mr Turnbull said that the plebiscite option was a perfectly valid democratic process and would be popular with the Australian people asthey liked to have a say.
Prior to becoming Prime Minister Mr Turnbull had advocated for a free vote, but in taking on the Liberal leadership he reportedly promised his colleagues that he’d stick with former PM Tony Abbott’s plan for a plebiscite.
The Australian Electoral Commission has suggested the exercise could cost as much as $158 million. A senate inquiry has heard that a plebiscite will likely cause distress to vulnerable gay teens and rainbow families.
Western Australia’s Liberal Premier Colin Barnett has spoken out against the plebiscite suggestion. The Premier said in the WA parliament that if this issue was not dealt with the debate would be filled with personal insults and abuse. The Premier supported a motion in the state’s lower house calling for the federal parliament to address the issue through a free vote.
Last week the Australia Institute released a survey showing 61% of Australians want the Prime Minister to act on the issue, including 52% of Liberal voters.
OIP Staff
