Premium Content:

Christine Milne labels the plebiscite a delaying device

Leader of the Australian Greens, Senator Christine Milne.19 March 2013.

Former leader of The Greens, Christine Milne says the only purpose of the plebiscite is to delay marriage equality and destroy Malcolm Turnbull.

- Advertisement -

Writing in The Guardian Milne said it was obvious that when the coalition announced that it would address Australia’s long-running debate over marriage equality by holding a plebiscite it was simply a delaying tactic.

“It was transparently a desperate, expedient move to head off a parliamentary vote, reduce the temperature of the issue, get it off the agenda ahead of the 2016 federal election and try to destroy it by using the age old tactic of delay.” Milne wrote.

“The plebiscite is not about democracy, human rights or constitutional change. It is a concocted last stand against LGBTI rights.” the former Greens leader declared.

Milne also recalled Australia’s last big debate over a same-sex issue. Tasmania was the last state to decriminalise homosexuality and back in 1996 Milne was a member of the Tasmanian parliament.

“When I first put my legislation to the Tasmanian Parliament for gay law reform in 1996, Michael Hodgman former Liberal MP for Denison called me the ‘mother of teenage sodomy’ on ABC radio.” Milne recalled, arguing that a debate over the issue of marriage equality is likely to become very personal.

OIP Staff

Latest

Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence propose new memorial to lives lost to homophobia

The statue would remember Adriaan Spoor and Pieter Engelse who were marooned and left to die in the 1700s.

Author Malcolm Gladwell voices his opposition to transgender athletes

The author appeared on a podcast and said his previous support for trans athletes was not genuine.

Sophie Turner set to play Lara Croft in new ‘Tomb Raider’ series

The Game of Thrones star has signed on for a new series on Amazon Prime.

Newsletter

Don't miss

Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence propose new memorial to lives lost to homophobia

The statue would remember Adriaan Spoor and Pieter Engelse who were marooned and left to die in the 1700s.

Author Malcolm Gladwell voices his opposition to transgender athletes

The author appeared on a podcast and said his previous support for trans athletes was not genuine.

Sophie Turner set to play Lara Croft in new ‘Tomb Raider’ series

The Game of Thrones star has signed on for a new series on Amazon Prime.

Netflix shares the trailer for upcoming series ‘Boots’

Get your first look at the upcoming Netflix series...

Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence propose new memorial to lives lost to homophobia

The statue would remember Adriaan Spoor and Pieter Engelse who were marooned and left to die in the 1700s.

Author Malcolm Gladwell voices his opposition to transgender athletes

The author appeared on a podcast and said his previous support for trans athletes was not genuine.

Sophie Turner set to play Lara Croft in new ‘Tomb Raider’ series

The Game of Thrones star has signed on for a new series on Amazon Prime.