The Public Interest Advocacy Centre (PIAC) has launched proceedings in the High Court, seeking to stop the government going ahead with a postal vote on marriage equality.

The PIAC are representing Andrew Wilkie, the independent Federal Member for Denison, as well as Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) and Felicity Marlowe, a lesbian mother with three young children.

“We will be arguing that by going ahead without the authorisation of parliament, the government is acting beyond its power,” said PIAC CEO, Jonathon Hunyor.

“We will argue that the government cannot validly undertake a postal vote and also that it cannot fund the exercise without parliamentary approval.

“These are important issues about the way that power is exercised by governments and the role of parliament in our democracy,” Hunyor said.

Felicity Marlowe says she is on board as she is worried about the impact a public campaign will have on her children, her partner and all rainbow families.

“It will be a full-time occupation for the next three months for my partner and I to protect my children from the flyers delivered to our home stating that ‘children need a mother and a father – so vote no to marriage equality’, or to stop them seeing any billboards or posters in our local shopping centre or along the major roads we take to school every morning.”

OIP Staff