LGBT News Australian opposition to block same-sex marriage plebiscite

Aussie792 · Aug 27, 2016

ABC News said:

The Federal Opposition has issued the strongest indication yet it could block a plebiscite being held on the question of same-sex marriage.

Labor and the Greens have voiced concerns about the cost of the plebiscite, as well as the prospect of a potentially divisive public debate on the issue.

In a statement, Opposition Leader Bill Shorten strengthened his language on the issue, saying he was worried the Prime Minister would "stuff it up", citing Mr Turnbull's handling of the republic referendum in 1999.

"He stuffed up the republic referendum, he stuffed up the NBN and he stuffed up Senate reforms when he promised to fix it," Mr Shorten said.

"Malcolm Turnbull doesn't even support a plebiscite. He's only doing it because he is too weak to stand up to the radicals in his own party.

Speaking in Melbourne today, Mr Shorten refused to rule out blocking the plebiscite, keeping the door open for supporting the Government's measures.

He said it was the "second-best option" to a direct vote in Parliament, telling reporters he had a number of problems with the nation-wide poll.

"We haven't seen Mr Turnbull's plebiscite legislation, we'll cross the bridge of what he intends to do when he presents that legislation," he said.

Labor frontbencher Ed Husic said same-sex marriage could be made legal with a simple vote in Parliament instead.

"I think there are a number of us, and I certainly am of the view that we should get on with the vote, make the decision, do what the Parliament is supposed to and provide for marriage equality," Mr Husic said.

But Mr Turnbull said a plebiscite was still the quickest way to legalise same-sex marriage and that Labor was attempting to call the Coalition's bluff on the issue.
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ABC News said:

Key points:

Labor and the Greens voice concerns about the cost of the plebiscite.

Labor frontbencher Ed Husic says same-sex marriage could be made legal with a simple vote in Parliament instead

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull says a plebiscite is the quickest way to legalise same-sex marriage

But Mr Turnbull said he still believes Labor will support legislation in Parliament to establish the nation-wide vote.

Click to expand...

Same-sex marriage plebiscite: Labor indicates it could block vote, Malcolm Turnbull still confident - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)

I'm deeply opposed to a plebiscite. The 45th Parliament, unlike any previous parliament, has a clear majority in both the House and Senate in favour of same-sex marriage. The only thing blocking them is the Abbott-era decision by the Coalition not to hold a free vote until a plebiscite occur - something which Turnbull opposed from the beginning but doesn't risk rejecting even now that he's PM.

With any luck, Labor will follow through with the threat and the ball will be pushed back into Turnbull's court - it's ultimately on him to free his party and himself to vote as they wish. With this Parliament first sitting this week, it'll be interesting to see how same-sex marriage plays out.

Czarcastic · Aug 28, 2016

The Greens and NXT have both confirmed they will vote against the legislation.

Labor has all but said they will vote against the legislation.

Therefore, unless Labor change their mind, the plebiscite is dead in the water.

The only thing that annoys me about the plebiscite not going ahead is that the conservatives have done exactly what they planned, that being to halt any steps towards marriage equality.

YeahpIdk · Aug 29, 2016

It's astounding to me that Australia is against same sex marriage. They're pretty much planet Hot Lesbian to me.

Ruby Rose

Czarcastic · Aug 29, 2016

YeahpIdk said: ↑

It's astounding to me that Australia is against same sex marriage. They're pretty much planet Hot Lesbian to me.

Ruby Rose
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Broadly speaking, a majority the public and of parliament support same-sex marriage.

The problem comes from the fact that the Prime Minister (who supports same-sex marriage) has a large bloc in his party that opposes same-sex marriage and he relies on their support to remain Prime Minister.

LGBT News Australian opposition to block same-sex marriage plebiscite

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LGBT News Australian opposition to block same-sex marriage plebiscite

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