If Tony Abbott allows a free vote, we will have gay marriage by Christmas: Labor
Image: South Australian Labor Senator Penny Wong addresses the ALP delegation on the topic of marriage equality
OPPOSITION Leader Bill Shorten has pledged to legislate same-sex marriage in his first 100 days if he is elected as prime minister at the next Federal Election.
At the Australian Labor Party (ALP) National Conference over the weekend, Shorten maintained that federal Labor MPs will be given a conscience vote on marriage equality for the next two terms of government.
[showads ad=MREC]If it isn’t legalised over the next two terms, Labor MPs and senators will be bound to vote in favour of same-sex marriage after the 2019 Federal Election.
The decision came after the ALP’s left faction split over the issue of a binding vote or a conscience vote.
“What the Labor Party does with this resolution is we lay down the challenge to Mr Abbott and his Liberals,” Shorten said at the conference.
“Please give your members of parliament a free vote so we can make marriage equality a reality now.”
A spokesperson for Rainbow Labor told the Star Observer that the current Prime Minister should allow a conscience vote as soon as possible.
“Tony Abbott should stop blocking a free vote in the Liberal Party and allow the Parliament to discuss and debate this issue openly, respectfully, and fully,” the spokesperson said.
“If he allows a free vote, we will have marriage equality passed into law by Christmas.”
Australian Marriage Equality national director Rodney Croome believes that by deciding not to bind its MPs to vote in favour of same-sex marriage, the ALP has increased pressure on Abbott to ensure Coalition MPs are not bound to vote against it.
“We urge supporters of marriage equality in the Coalition to carry the issue forward in their party room,” Croome said.
“We believe marriage equality is achievable in this term of government through a cross-party conscience vote.
“We urge the Prime Minister to stick to his pre-election commitment of allowing the party room to debate a free vote.”
Rainbow Labor’s spokesperson maintained they were positive change would come: “Support for marriage equality is growing every day and we have no doubt that this groundswell in the community will overwhelm those who are fighting against it.”
During the conference discussion on marriage equality, South Australian Labor Senator Penny Wong received a standing ovation for her address.
She described the day in 2011 when Labor Party voted to put a commitment to marriage equality in its platform as her proudest moment in the party.
“Marriage equality is a campaign of hope. It is a campaign of justice. It is a campaign of equality but most of all delegates – and this is why we will win – it is a campaign for those we love,” she said.
Watch her speech in full here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bAlFwUkHrVk
RELATED: ALP CONFERENCE: PROTESTERS RALLY IN SUPPORT OF BINDING VOTE FOR MARRIAGE EQUALITY
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Legislative Instruments and Acts (Marriage Equality) Order 2015
(1) WEREAS; All references throughout all Australian Acts of Parliament and common law that say; “man”, “woman”, “male”, “female”, “husband”, “wife”, “him”, “he”,
“she”, “her”, etc. – are to must now include same-sex partners and/or same-sex spouses under this Order! (e.g. both the Marriage Act 1961 and the Family Law Act 1975).
(2) WEREAS; All references throughout all Australian legislative instruments, regulations and common law that say; “man”, “woman”, “male”, “female”, “husband”, “wife”, “him”, “he”,
“she”, “her”, etc. – are to must now include same-sex partners and/or same-sex spouses under this Order!
(3) This Order becomes effective from the date of issue!
Legislative Instruments and Acts (Marriage Equality) Order 2015
Both Bill Shorten and Tony Abbott are idiot scum CUNT (Christians United for a National Theocracy)!
And I was born in 1984, that makes me 31!
We truly are a nation run by idiots!
So Labor is in bed with the Liberal party yet again on still banning equal marriage! WOW THAT IS NEWS! This does not surprise me one bit! So they are saying NO GAY MARRIAGE UNTIL 2020!
Vote 1 Greens!
Vote 1 Greens at the federal election!
So Shorten promises marriage equality at some time in the nebulous future, and tries to present this a solid achievement? This is simply more political spin and doubletalk from the same man who has been happy for his own MPs to vote against their party policy on marriage equality for years. His record on human rights and equality is abysmal – just look at boat turn-backs. Now he is into GLBTI vote turn-backs.
Talk is cheap and nothing is cheaper than that of a politician – no matter be they ALP or Coalition. Shorten claimed that he would introduce legislation within 100 days of winning the 2016 Federal Election. If he doesn’t control the Senate it won’t matter how many times he introduces his proposed legislation to give us Equality. He is obviously expecting (Hoping???) that his legislation will Fail, but he will pat himself on the back & say to himself “Fooled the silly bastards into voting for ME. Clever Little ME” for he than says that it will be at least TWO further Terms in Office before it becomes compulsory for ALP MPs & Senators to vote in Favour of it. Does he really believe we are going to give him Three Terms in office?
Beware the politician bearing gifts! All Shorten wants is our Votes. Promises are the easiest thing in the world to make. They are also, for ALP & Coalition Governments in Australia they are the easiest things to break.
“There will be NO Carbon Tax under any Government I lead” Remember who said that?
“I will NOT cut Pensions”, “I will NOT cut health & Education Funding”. Remember who said that?
Then they both dumped those Promises without a blush between them!