The Australian opposition on Tuesday Oct 11,2016 decided to block government plans for a public but non-binding vote on recognizing Gay Marriage, arguing it would better if the issue was decided in Parliament.
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull’s conservative coalition government needs center-left Labor Party’s support to get enabling legislation through the Senate to hold a national vote on gay marriage on Feb. 11.
But a meeting of Labor lawmakers on Tuesday Oct 11,2016 unanimously decided against supporting the plebiscite, opposition leader Bill Shorten said.
While Labor supports gay marriage, it argues the plebiscite would trigger a divisive public debate. Labor argues the Parliament should decide the issue without asking the public.
“This country does not have the right in a plebiscite to pass judgment on the marriages and relationships of some of our fellow Australians. It is not what Australia is about,” Bill Shorten told
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, a marriage equality advocate, said despite the Labor comments, the idea of a plebiscite was dead. He said the enabling bill would be voted on in the Senate after it was passed this week by the House of Representatives where the government holds a majority.
“We urge the senators — all the members of the Senate, including the Labor Party — to support that bill and give the people their say,” Turnbull told
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull’s conservative coalition government needs center-left Labor Party’s support to get enabling legislation through the Senate to hold a national vote on gay marriage on Feb. 11.
But a meeting of Labor lawmakers on Tuesday Oct 11,2016 unanimously decided against supporting the plebiscite, opposition leader Bill Shorten said.
While Labor supports gay marriage, it argues the plebiscite would trigger a divisive public debate. Labor argues the Parliament should decide the issue without asking the public.
“This country does not have the right in a plebiscite to pass judgment on the marriages and relationships of some of our fellow Australians. It is not what Australia is about,” Bill Shorten told
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, a marriage equality advocate, said despite the Labor comments, the idea of a plebiscite was dead. He said the enabling bill would be voted on in the Senate after it was passed this week by the House of Representatives where the government holds a majority.
“We urge the senators — all the members of the Senate, including the Labor Party — to support that bill and give the people their say,” Turnbull told
No comments:
Post a Comment