Leader of the Greens Richard Di Natale has vowed to block the upcoming same-sex marriage plebiscite in the Senate.
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Di Natale said the best way of ensuring marriage equality was through a parliamentary vote, which could be done next week when parliament resumed if Malcolm Turnbull chose to show some leadership. Liberal MPs, on the other hand, have warned that blocking the marriage equality plebiscite would likely delay the issue for at least three years.
Senators form the Nick Xenophon Team and Derryn Hinch have expressed doubt over the plebiscite.
Although Labor has not formally chose to oppose the plebiscite, senior sources said the Opposition remained “unconvinced” of its merits, amid fears an unsuccessful Yes campaign would set back the marriage equality campaign for years.
Senator Di Natale said the proposed plebiscite, promised by the coalition, would be a waste of money created to delay equality while giving a megaphone to hate and homophobia.
‘We have listened to the LGBTIQ community and they have told us overwhelmingly that they are opposed to an marriage equality plebiscite because of the harm it will do, particularly to young, same-sex attracted and gender diverse people’.
Since Turnbull made clear his intentions to hold the vote, a number of prominent Australians have since come out against it, including Victoria’s Premier Daniel Andrews.
The moves raise the very real prospect of no action being taken on marriage equality in this term of Parliament, with the Turnbull government sticking to its guns on its election commitment.
LGBTI advocates have welcomed the Greens’ decision to vote against the plebiscite and have called on the Labor Party and cross bench senators to follow the Greens’ lead. He has yet to announce a final position.
Labor will bring forward a motion or private member’s bill on same-sex marriage early in the new parliament.
‘We’ve had conservatives already say they won’t be bound, so what are we going through this for?’ she told the ABC.
“We could have legislation passed next week and wedding bells ringing this spring”.
‘Not one party has the numbers to achieve marriage equality of the plebiscite’. Gay marriage was “something the parliament should be able to vote on”, he claimed, as MPs and Senators were “more than well paid enough to make a decision like this”.
Spokesperson for LGBTI lobbying group just.equal, Ivan Hinton-Teoh, said: “I congratulate the Greens on prioritising the aspirations and interests of the LGBTI community by opposing a marriage equality plebiscite”. We call on our leaders to urgently come together and deliver marriage equality in line with the wishes of the Australian people.
“Australians have had to wait far too long for this simple reform and should not have to wait any longer”, he said.
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“Everyday Australian families like mine will be adversely affected by a plebiscite campaign and that’s why we want a free vote instead”, she said.
