Weddings can be a stressful time for any family.
Advertisement
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Tony Abbott said a decision on how to move forward with a “people’s vote” will be made in the coming weeks.
In May this year Abbott declared the question of same sex marriage should be “owned by the parliament”.
More likely, the prime minister will end up pushing for a non-binding plebiscite of the Australian people after the next election that presumably would be followed by a conscience vote in parliament. A Fairfax-Ipsos poll recorded support for the government at 38 percent, just 2 points above Labor. Barring any change of leadership that may result from Abbott’s insistence on this issue (which can’t be ruled out given his recent dismal polling results), the chances of Australia’s gays being able to legally marry before this date are slim.
The earliest scheduled date for Australia’s next federal election is August 2016. However, lawmakers in Liberal Party said they would vote in favor of the motion if a vote is permitted.
“It’s a discussion about marriage”.
“This is an expensive and unnecessary delaying tactic for something we know the Australian people want”, Ms Plibersek said.
The government also indicated they’re unlikely to hold a public poll on marriage equality at the same time as an expected referendum on constitutional recognition for indigenous Australians, an issue which the attorney general says should be dealt with separately due to its significance. And until Sunday, Canberra’s Airport – the front door to Australia’s halls of power – flashed rainbow colored lights with the words #WeCanDoThis.
“If the vote comes up and I’m asked to vote of course I will support it”, he said.
Katy Faust, a US writer who was raised by two women but nonetheless opposes marriage equality, argued that advocates of the status quo needed to cease making religious arguments and “do a better job of making our case using natural law”.
Abbott maintained his stance on gay marriage, but promised popular vote on same-sex marriage after the next election.
Advertisement
Australian legislator Warren Entsch says same-sex marriage would make the country more “inclusive”. I can remember my own university debates with gay friends and the idea that the gay community would in those days have wanted to embrace a bourgeois institution like marriage would have been unthinkable, but things change. “Frankly, as far as I’m concerned, that disqualifies him and he should resign”, Dastyari said. But as I’ve said we have a respectful disagreement, a respectful difference of opinion.
