Opposition Leader Bill Shorten has announced on social media that Labor will introduce a bill in the House of Representatives, as the first day of the new Parliament comes to a close.

The Labor Leader posted online that he and Deputy Opposition Leader Tanya Plibersek have given notice to the Parliament that they plan to submit a private member’s bill in the hopes of avoiding “an expensive & divisive plebiscite.”

Marriage equality seems to have dominated much of the Opposition Leader’s first day back in Parliament as he was confronted by an Anglican minster outside of a service in the ACT, urging him to use better language when describing those who do not accept same-sex marriage.

The move from Labor comes following announcements from The Greens, Nick Xenophon Team and Derryn Hinch indicating they will block any plebiscite-enabling legislation to avoid the public vote.

Independent MPs Cathy McGowan and Andrew Wilkie have also revealed on Tuesday that they plan to introduce a private member’s bill to legislate for marriage equality along with the Greens sole Lower House member Adam Bandt.

OIP Staff