Premium Content:

Brandis: The Labor party has driven a stake through the heart of marriage equality

Fullscreen capture 11102016 51720 PM

Attorney General George Brandis has lashed out at Labor’s Senator Penny Wong over her party’s decision to block the government’s marriage plebiscite referendum.

- Advertisement -

Speaking in parliament this afternoon Senator Brandis criticised Labor’s decision to block the plebiscite legislation. Without Labor’s support the government will not have the number to pass the bill in the senate.

“The Labor party has driven a stake through the heart of marriage equality” Senator Brandis said before criticising Senator Wong for having voted against marriage equality in the past.

“Regardless of the cries coming from people like Senator Wong who assert that they believe in this cause, you say it matters to you Senator Wong but why won’t you do something about it!” Senator Brandis shouted across the chamber in an emotionally charged moment.

Stake Through The HeartAttorney General George Brandis: “This morning the Labor party has driven a stake through the heart of marriage equality! You say it matters to you Senator Wong, WHY WON’T YOU DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT!”

Posted by BuzzFeed Oz Politics on Monday, October 10, 2016

Last night just before midnight Senator Brandis released details of the government’s proposed changes to the marriage act, should the plebiscite have been successful in promoting inclusion of LGBTI relationships.

The changes include allowing marriage to be between two people rather than a man and a woman. The new laws would also recognise same sex marriages performed overseas.

The proposal also includes the long promised exceptions for religious  based marriage celebrants, but also an option for civil celebrants to refuse to wed same sex couples if they felt it went against their personal beliefs.

Religious bodies would be able to deny services and goods to same sex marriage ceremonies and deny service to people for things which were reasonably incidental to them getting married.

OIP Staff

 

Latest

New trailer gives us insight into the conclusion of ‘Downton Abbey’

It looks like its going to be an emotional send off to the much loved characters.

Two teenagers shot outside Stonewall Inn following New York’s Pride celebrations

Police say its too early to tell if the shooting was a hate crime.

Boy George declares ‘The World is Cool’

Boy George is keeping his album off streaming services, you have to buy a physical copy.

On This Gay Day | Activist Sylvia Rivera was born in 1951

Sylvia Rivera was a pioneering transgender activist and a prominent figure in the global LGBTIQ+ rights movement.

Newsletter

Don't miss

New trailer gives us insight into the conclusion of ‘Downton Abbey’

It looks like its going to be an emotional send off to the much loved characters.

Two teenagers shot outside Stonewall Inn following New York’s Pride celebrations

Police say its too early to tell if the shooting was a hate crime.

Boy George declares ‘The World is Cool’

Boy George is keeping his album off streaming services, you have to buy a physical copy.

On This Gay Day | Activist Sylvia Rivera was born in 1951

Sylvia Rivera was a pioneering transgender activist and a prominent figure in the global LGBTIQ+ rights movement.

Televangelist Jimmy Swaggart dies aged 90

The preachers is remembered for a series of scandals with sex workers in the late 1980s.

New trailer gives us insight into the conclusion of ‘Downton Abbey’

It looks like its going to be an emotional send off to the much loved characters.

Two teenagers shot outside Stonewall Inn following New York’s Pride celebrations

Police say its too early to tell if the shooting was a hate crime.

Boy George declares ‘The World is Cool’

Boy George is keeping his album off streaming services, you have to buy a physical copy.