The federal opposition have announced they will work with the crossbench to refer the government’s bill that aims to remove exemptions that allow religious schools to expel students who are LGBTI+ for inquiry. In a joint statement from Minister for Education Tanya Plibersek and Shadow Attorney General Mark Dreyfus, Labor said they plan to “hold […]
The Senate has passed a motion this week urging the federal government to work with states and territories to stop the practice of conversion therapy aimed at the LGBTIQ+ community. The motion put forward by Greens Senator Janet Rice calls on the Morrison government to work with other government leaders to outlaw the dangerous ‘therapies’. […]
Senators have shut down proposed amendments to Senator Dean Smith’s co-sponsored marriage bill in the upper house today, after two days of debate. Amendments put forward by Liberal Senator David Fawcett that would see two separate definitions of marriage, and allow for conscientious objections for civil celebrants to deny service to LGBTI couples, were shut […]
Long-time opponent of LGBTI+ rights Senator Eric Abetz has said that the bill currently before the parliament to make changes to the Marriage Act goes far beyond the question that was put to the Australian people in the postal survey. Speaking in the Upper House today, Senator Abetz argued that marriage is a social unit […]
WA Senator Dean Smith’s bill to amend the Marriage Act has been introduced to the upper house this afternoon, following the victory of the ‘Yes’ vote in the postal survey. Senator Smith’s bill has been co-sponsored by eight senators from across the political spectrum, and both Labor and The Greens have thrown their support behind […]
One of the major driving forces behind the ‘Yes’ campaign in Australia’s postal survey on marriage equality have responded to the successful ‘Yes’ outcome. The Equality Campaign have described the result as a “historic milestone for Australians and a victory for equality and fairness that sends a powerful message to Federal Parliament to legislate for […]
The Senate has passed a motion voicing support for LGBTIQ people on R U OK? Day, and encourages all Australians to reach out to their queer family and friends and check on how they are faring during the marriage debate. The motion was put forward by Greens’ senators Rachel Siewert and Janet Rice. It asked […]
If the plan to hold a nation wide postal survey on marriage equality is ruled invalid by the High Court, the government may bring the plebiscite legislation before the senate for a third time. Liberal MP Craig Kelly has told Fairfax Media that he believes the other party’s support for a plebiscite has changed now […]
Federal Police Commissioner Andrew Colvin has said police still believe the man behind the explosion at the Australian Christian Lobby (ACL) in December was not driven by ideological motivations. The Commissioner was appearing before a Senate Estimates Committee yesterday when he was asked about the event. “We don’t believe his primary motivation was to make […]
The Australian Electoral Commission have revealed that supplies for the government’s now defunct plebiscite plan have already been purchased. A recently established Senate Committee conducting an inquiry into marriage equality has heard that the AEC have ordered a range of now unnecessary supplies including stationary, ID badges and other equipment for polling. The commission also […]
