Senator David Leyonhjelm’s marriage equality bill put on hold

Senator David Leyonhjelm’s marriage equality bill put on hold

AUSTRALIAN Marriage Equality has urged supporters to phone federal MPs following reports that an important marriage equality bill has been temporarily shelved.

NSW Liberal Democrat Senator David Leyonhjelm had plans to introduce his Freedom to Marry bill this week, but according to The Australian, Liberal and Labor MPs pleaded put it on hold because of “wrong’’ timing.

However, Leyonhjelm said he was still committed to introducing the bill “in a matter of weeks or months, not years”, but wanted to achieve it with as much bipartisan support as possible.

“Both sides of politics have suggested to me that timing this week is not optimum at the ­moment and if I want to win, rather than just do something symbolic, I need to wait,” he told The Australian.

“I’m not interested in symbolism — I want to win.

“Because I’m new, I need to ­accept that advice and I will delay it until the timing is better.”

In response, Australian Marriage Equality urged supporters to make the most of the delay by lobbying their local MPs, especially with phone calls.

“In particular, we must urge Coalition members to support a conscience vote on the issue once Senator Leyonhjelm’s bill is introduced,” AME national director Rodney Croome saud.

Prime Minister Tony Abbott and the Coalition party recognise marriage as between a man and a woman in their policy platform, but Abbott has previously said it would be up to his partyroom if that position changed to one of a conscience vote.

RELATED: The need for a logical approach on marriage equality — Opinion 

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3 responses to “Senator David Leyonhjelm’s marriage equality bill put on hold”

  1. I have been married exactly one year today. You can argue with Australian politicians, or get on a plane and in a few hours you will be in New Zealand. Have your reception in Australia if you are worried how many can attend. Most celebrants will come back here for a small fee. You can bang your head against the wall expecting a Prime Minister who says he feels threatened by homosexuals to change, or you can take control of your civil right to marry for under the cost of an IPad in New Zealand.

  2. BREAKING NEWS:

    Aussie lawmakers in 2014 are completely gutless and lack a moral conscience compass!

    As usual delays, stoppages, dillydallying, and procrastination – gee whiz Australia just allow marriage equality for fuck sake, join in with the rest of the western world and move on from this issue!

    Norfolk Island sounds good now!

    • It is important to delay gay marriage in Australia until the appropriate anti-gay discrimination laws and anti-gay hate laws are enacted first, and the removal of panic defence loophole. The support of law enforcement needs to be ready as well. In countries where gay marriage has been legalised, there are still some backlashes of homophobia.
      In a more accepting USA, young people are now coming out earlier than usual, some at 14 years old, but don’t have legal protections and support, and many have ended up on the streets, evicted by their own families. There are over 3000 living on the streets in Yew York alone. This is a human tragedy of terrible proportions. This has to be addressed in Australia at the same time as gay marriage.