Debate on the Marriage Plebiscite bill was cut short this afternoon as the government moved to vote on the proposal in the lower house.

Despite nearly 20 Labor members still wanting to voice their views on the bill the government’s Leader in the House, Christopher Pine, moved that the bill progress to the voting stage.

The bill was passed with the government gaining support from crossbenchers Cathy McGowan and Bob Katter. While Labor, Andrew Wilkie, and Rebekha Sharkie from the Nick Xenophon Team opposed the bill.

Greens MP Adam Bandt, who also opposes the plebiscite, was away from parliament as his family has just welcomed a new child.

The bill will now move to the Senate, where is seems to have little hope of passing due to the Labor Party’s opposition. The debate in the upper house is unlikely to begin before early November.

Australian Marriage Equality has called on the senate to knock back the legislation.

Alex Greenwich, Co-Chair of Australian Marriage Equality said two thirds of the nation, the majority of MPs and the leaders of our major parties back marriage equality, so we don’t need an expensive and divisive plebiscite.

“We believe the Senate should vote down the plebiscite and provide a parliamentary pathway forward,” Mr Greenwich said.

“This is a straightforward issue that can be resolved by a vote in the parliament and at the same time we save the nation the expense of a $200 million plebiscite bill.” Greenwich said.

“We will continue to call on our supporters across every political party to continue working together to find the most straightforward path so that our nation can move forward with everyone able to marry the person they love in the country they cherish.”

OIP Staff