Same-sex marriage plebiscite before end of 2016: Turnbull

Same-sex marriage plebiscite before end of 2016: Turnbull
Image: Malcolm Turnbull. Photo: Ann-Marie Calilhanna

PRIME Minister Malcolm Turnbull has revealed a plebiscite on same-sex marriage will be held before the end of the year if his government wins the July 2 election.

Turnbull has previously remained quiet on the timing of a plebiscite, but said on Monday that it will be held “as soon as possible” after the election.

“Given that the election is on 2 July, we do have ample time between then and the end of the year,” Turnbull said.

“So I would expect it to be held this calendar year.

“But it will be held as soon as practical, as obviously legislation has got to pass through the Parliament so all I can do is give you my commitment to hold a plebiscite as soon as we can and it will be a very straightforward question and will be asking the Australian people whether they support the definition of marriage being extended to include couples of the same sex.”

In April, Turnbull said he expected same-sex marriage to be legalised after the plebiscite. The Turnbull Government then allocated $160 million in the budget for the vote.

The Greens have called on Turnbull to hold a parliamentary vote instead of a costly and divisive plebiscite.

“Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull’s comments today would give some Australians the inkling that we could have marriage equality realised by the end of the year – but we can do it without spending $160 million and sending people straight back to the polls after a marathon election campaign,” Senator Robert Simms said in a statement.

“This debate has dragged on long enough, and it seems Mr Turnbull won’t be satisfied until LGBTI people are dragged through the mud by the harmful hate campaigns against this community a plebiscite would drum up.

“It’s not too late for him to dump the pointless and costly plebiscite. No more excuses, delays and hiding behind stale old policies – Australians want marriage equality and they want to see this matter dealt with by the parliament, regardless of who is in the lodge.”

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5 responses to “Same-sex marriage plebiscite before end of 2016: Turnbull”

  1. Thanks Tony for making an ad hominem attack.
    Your contribution to the community is breathtaking.

  2. It’s disappointing to see the relentless plebiscite discussion and no mention of the bill that was introduced on 2 May 2016 and lapsed at dissolution on 9 May 2016. It was a good bill. Marriage Amendment (Marriage Equality) Bill 2016. No headline, no op-ed, no opposition, no debate and no result and yet it’s the $160m in bold on dynamic web pages and the pro and con and the outrage and advertising to polarise the population. Sad that it’s not surprising.

  3. I personally never ever trusted what Malcolm Turnbull says, he is just an “LNP puppet decoy” just “pretending” to be our friend, when he is secretly screwing us – one of my best mates said the other day! The Australian Parliament should vote for marriage equality in 2016, just like they did to ban it back in 2004!

  4. I was a non political 40 year old gay man, until today and urgently urge all LGBTI people and straight allies to vote on July 2 2016 – between 8am and 6pm for an independent, Labor, Green or the Sex party! Our lives are at stake here seriously people. The LNP are a joke and Malcolm Turnbull is a joke! It’s a no brainer really! I hope the LGBT people of Wentworth or Malcolm Turnbulls seat wake up to themselves. It is 2016 and Australia has become a national embarrassment on LGBTI rights in still banning marriage equality.

    • Our lives are at stake?
      Just further evidence of how this media campaign has twisted people’s perspective.
      Lord knows how you snowflakes would’ve coped back when gay sex was a crime.