Greens reject marriage referendum

Green’s Senator Sarah Hanson-Young has hit back at suggestions Australia should have a referendum on same-sex marriage.

Hanson-Young was responding to comments made by Labor backbencher John Murphy on ABC Radio that Australia should go to a referendum on the issue.

“There is no constitutional change required to amend the Marriage Act, merely a legislative change, so an enormously expensive and cumbersome referendum isn’t needed,” Hanson-Young said.

Calling for a national vote, Murphy said he doesn’t believe same-sex marriage would be supported.

“I believe, overwhelmingly, the people of Australia will tell all those who are elected to represent them that allowing [GLBT] people to get married under the Marriage Act is a step too far,” he said.

Hanson-Young said Murphy was “out of step” with recent opinion polls showing around 60 percent of Australians are for same-sex marriage and the public has been given the chance to have their say via MPs who have specifically been called on to consult their constituencies on the matter.

Parliamentary time has been set aside in August for MPs to report back from their electorates.

Organisation Intersex International (OII) Australia president Gina Wilson, also president of a Labor branch in the Reid electorate and out lesbian said she was “shocked and dismayed” at Murphy’s call that ALP members in favour of marriage equality should join the Greens.

“His comments come as a slap in the face to those in his electorate who support the Labor ideal of a fair go for all,” Wilson said.

“[Murphy’s] off the cuff comments are no more than drink cooler gossip gathered in conversations with the congregation at his local church, his office and amongst his right wing parliamentary buddies.”

Australian Marriage Equality national convenor Alex Greenwich said recent polling shows 74 percent of ALP voters surveyed support same-sex marriage.

“[Murphy] should acknowledge the reason why this issue is so important to so many within his party, with a clear majority wanting the ALP to get back to it’s roots of fairness, equality, and valuing human rights,” Greenwich said.

A 2010 news.com.au survey shows 42 percent of Murphy’s electorate of Reid are in favour of same-sex marriage, 36 percent against and 22 percent don’t care.