New marriage equality push
A聽PROPOSAL by Deputy Opposition Leader Tanya Plibersek to introduce a bill for marriage equality was approved by her Labor caucus earlier this week.
The move has been reported as a way to pressure Prime Minister Tony Abbott into deciding on whether his MPs will be allowed a conscience vote.
The draft legislation is almost the same as the private members bill then-MP Stephen Jones proposed to the last parliament, but was defeated in 2012.
Plibersek said she would seek to introduce the bill early this year but it will be up to the Coalition Government to bring on any parliamentary debate.
鈥淢arriage equality鈥檚 time has well and truly come,鈥� she said in a statement.
鈥淭he proposal for this bill follows the High Court鈥檚 confirmation that 鈥榤arriage鈥� in the Australian Constitution includes a marriage between persons of the same sex.鈥�
Plibersek wanted a Liberal MP to co-sponsor the bill if they were granted a conscience vote.
Abbott opposes any change to the federal Marriage Act but has left open the prospect of allowing his MPs a free vote pending a partyroom debate.
The Greens stated they would support Plibersek鈥檚 bill but warned Labor against 鈥渞ushing鈥� it.
There is no good reason to deny that we must keep evolving until an adult, regardless of gender, sexual orientation, monogamy or polyamory, race, or religion is free to marry any and all consenting adults. The limited same-gender freedom to marry is a great and historic step, but is NOT full marriage equality, because equality “just for some” is not equality. Let’s stand up for EVERY ADULT’S right to marry the person(s) they love. Get on the right side of history!