Marriage equality plebiscite bill passes House of Representatives

Marriage equality plebiscite bill passes House of Representatives
Image: Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull on ABC's 7.30. Photo: ABC

THE Turnbull Government’s bill for a plebiscite on marriage equality has passed the House of Represenatives with a vote of 76 to 67.

The bill for the proposed February 11 vote will now head to the Senate, where it will face firm opposition from Labor, the Greens, Derryn Hinch, Nick Xenophon and his fellow senators.

Here is the full list of MPs who voted for and against the plebiscite:

A list of the Federal MPs who voted for a plebiscite. Photo: Twitter via @workmanalice
A list of the Federal MPs who voted for a plebiscite. Photo: Twitter via @workmanalice
A list of the Federal MPs who voted against a plebiscite. Photo: Twitter via @workmanalice
A list of the Federal MPs who voted against a plebiscite. Photo: Twitter via @workmanalice

Opposition leader Bill Shorten had earlier put forward an amendment to stop the plebiscite and move for an free vote in parliament, but lost the vote 75 to 68.

The Government’s plebiscite proposal looks doomed in the Senate where a majority of members say they will vote it down.
But just.equal spokesperson, Ivan Hinton-Teoh, said the majority is slim and advocates should focus on increasing opposition to the proposal.
“We want to ensure the plebiscite is defeated conclusively so the Government gets the message that Australians want a free vote in parliament, not an expensive, divisive and harmful public vote,” he said.
“I urge all Australians opposed to a plebiscite to write to their federal senators through the makeitlaw.com.au website.”
Independent MP Cathy McGowan voted for the plebiscite, but admitted it was dead in the water and said it was time for parliament to find a way forward to resolve the issue.

“It is so disappointing that this is still dragging on. Like many others I was looking forward to seeing a resolution on 11 February 2017,” she said.

“My first preference has always been for a conscience vote by the Parliament on marriage equality.

“In the absence of a conscience vote I agreed to support the plebiscite but this option is now gone. I call on all parties to come together in good faith to respectfully discuss the process from here.

“I look forward to working with the government and the opposition to resolve the issue as quickly as we can.”

Senate resumes on November 7.

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6 responses to “Marriage equality plebiscite bill passes House of Representatives”

  1. This Tory or LNP Government is a complete and utter shambles!

    Lets waste 200 million dollars on something that is not even legally binding, called a plebiscite that causes mental pain for us LGBTI people! Meanwhile our roads, schools and hospitals are crumbling and getting budget cuts thanks to this stupid incompetent moron in the picture called Malcolm Turnbull!

    What a total waste of money and resources that could go to LGBTI mental health programs. Good lord, another three years of this “Turnbull Tantrum Trash” until 2019! But do not blame me, I voted Labor!

  2. I think the conservative religious right in australia are wanting to make it impossible for same sex marriage to be legal. I hope they fail in their attempt to ban same sex marriage…with their oppressive agenda.

  3. Since all the Marriage and Red Tape Abolition Bills are at a snails pace in Australia, I want to declare 100% independence from Australia. In my own country called “Callisvania” (between Cowra and Forbes within NSW), gay couples will be allowed to get married.

    * I am sick and tired of endless red tape on small business;
    * I am sick and tired of Malcolm Turnbull’s corruption;
    * I am sick and tired of pollies wasting taxpayers money on gold star passes and 200 million on plebiscites that are no even legally binding;
    * I am sick and tired of paying taxes without representation to pollies that are lazy, bigoted, corrupt and incompetent; and
    * I also am sick and tired of discrimination and hatred against both LGBTI and indigenous people.

  4. So this, we expected, what’s to report? What we do when it falls in the senate is what we should be talking about. How do we maintain the pressure now?

  5. So the vote was 76 to 67!

    Who voted Yes?
    Who voted No?
    Who was absent?
    And who abstained from voting?

    I want a list of names, so we can name and shame them all!