For the second day in a row a bill to support marriage equality has been defeated in the Australian federal parliament. The bill introduced in the senate by Senator’s Pratt, Crossin, Brown and Marshall was voted down 41 votes to 26.
Western Australian senator Louise Pratt released a statement thanking her fellow Labor senators who supported the bill and highlighted that many representatives had changed their mind on this topic after hearing from gay and lesbian constituants, their families and friends. Senator Pratt reafirmed her committed to change highligting that logical arguments were on the side of change,
‘That is because the arguments for marriage equality are based on the unstoppable values of fairness and love.
‘Those opposed to this reform have argued that we must replace existing customs of marriage, but marriage in Australia has changed over the decades and the simple fact is thousands of lesbian and gay couples in Australia are already married.
‘Same sex marriages are now part of Australia’s marriage customs. These marriages deserve legal recognition.’
Senator Pratt argued that Liberal party members being forced to tow the party line had been a reason for the bills failure,
‘We lost today because Tony Abbott refused to allow his members a conscience vote.
‘I know that there are a number of Coalition Senators who would have supported equality if they had been allowed to.
OIP Staff
