The Liberal party has ignored calls to allow it’s members a conscience vote on marriage equality.

Despite legislation for same sex marriage being scheduled for debate in the senate on Thursday the issue was not raised at this mornings party room meeting.

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Marriage equality advocates have called on the Government to set a timetable for allowing a free vote on the issue. While conservative groups have congratulated the party on maintaining their current policy.

Prior to the election Prime Minister Tony Abbott indicated that the party’s position on marriage equality would be up to the party room if the Liberals won government.

The statement was seen as a significant change in attitude from the Liberal leadership’s previous oft-repeated line that marriage is strictly between a man and a woman.

After the election the Prime Minister said the issue was unlikely to be raised in the party room as private members bills are not considered in the party room process. For the issue to be raised in the meeting it must be put on the agenda by the Prime Minister or raised by a Liberal member.

In this morning’s meeting no member raised the issue, despite reports that a considerable number of members are reconsidering their position on the issue.

Australian Marriage Equality national director, Rodney Croome said the government should honour it’s pre-election promise.

“The Government has missed an excellent opportunity to honour its pre-election promise and its own principles by allowing a free vote on marriage equality.” Croome said.

“It is has also ignored the 72% of Australians who support marriage equality and the 1,773,088 emails sent to government members by supporters of marriage equality since Friday.”

“Government MPs who went to the last election as supporters of marriage equality are being placed in an impossible position by a party that refuses to allow them to fulfil their commitment to voters.”

“A marriage equality free vote is unfinished business. We call on the Government to set a timetable for debate on a free vote so that Australians can have certainty on a reform we overwhelmingly support.”

The Australian Christian Lobby has welcomed the news that the Liberal party will maintain it’s position on the issue.

The response from supporters of marriage has been magnificent,” ACL Managing Director Lyle Shelton said. Mr Shelton reported that the Australian Christian Lobby’s email campaign has attracted responses from over 20,000 Australians.

Mr Shelton said the current laws which define marriage as only between a man and a woman protected children.

“Legislating a family structure which requires a child to miss out on their mother or father should not be supported by mainstream political parties.

“It is quite appropriate that the Liberal Party has a party position supporting marriage between a man and a woman.”

The private members bill introduced by Liberal Democrat member David Leyonjhelm is due to have it’s second reading and debate in the senate on Thursday.

OIP Staff