Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has outlined his government’s revived plan for a plebiscite on marriage equality, and if necessary a secondary option of a postal plebiscite. The government’s bill for a plebiscite that was defeated in the senate last year will be reintroduced into the senate this week. The government now plans to hold the […]
Liberal frontbencher Michael Sukkar says the blame for any hate speech and negative consequences generated by the continuing debate over marriage equality should be directed at advocates in favour of marriage equality. “The adverse impact of having this discussion, using their logic, since February this year has been a lot worse than if it had […]
Labor leader Bill Shorten has labeled the Liberal party’s plan to push forward with a plebiscite, and then potentially a postal plebiscite, as “dumb and dumber” ideas. Yesterday following a crisis meeting Liberal MPs overwhelmingly voted to maintain their current policy of holding a compulsory, but non-binding plebiscite, on marriage equality. The party committed to […]
Marriage equality advocates have slammed the Liberal party’s decision to maintain their policy of holding a plebiscite on marriage equality. Following a party room meeting the Liberal MPs voted to resubmit their failed plebiscite policy to the senate, adding the threat of rolling out a postal plebiscite if the opposition and crossbench don’t pass the […]
The Human Rights Law Centre has published a statement from three top constitutional lawyers declaring that the postal plebiscite plan being considered by cabinet today would be unconstitutional and open to legal challenge in the High Court. Anna Brown, Director of Legal Advocacy at the Human Rights Law Centre, has released a joint opinion from […]
A survey produced by the Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) and just.equal has shows that the LGBTI community is overwhelming opposed to the idea of a postal plebiscite. The release of the survey comes ahead of Monday’s Liberal party room debate about the way forward on marriage equality where one option on […]
The government’s decision to push forward with the postal plebiscite idea comes as news site Crikey revealed the Prime Minister had previously written an eloquent opinion piece arguing against their use. The article uncovered by journalist Josh Taylor shows the Prime Minister describing postal votes with phrases including; “an experiment in electoral science” and “flies in the […]
Attorney General George Brandis is seeking legal advice on the possibility of a postal plebiscite after Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull reportedly told his cabinet colleagues he would not abandon the party’s commitment to hold a national vote on the issue of marriage equality. A postal plebiscite would be voluntary for the public to participate in, […]
Marriage equality advocates say they are seeking legal advice on a possible High Court challenge to a postal vote on marriage equality. Some government members, including the Minister for Immigration and Border Protection, Petter Dutton, have proposed a $40 million postal vote on the issue that will be voluntary for voters and non-binding for politicians. […]
The idea of deciding Australia’s long running marriage equality debate by a opt-in postal plebiscite has been criticised by politicians on both sides of the political spectrum. Liberal Senator Dean Smith, who is working on a private members bill for same-sex marriage, has described the idea as “corrosive”. Speaking to ABC radio this morning, Senator […]