Coalition fails to give green light to marriage equality free vote

Coalition fails to give green light to marriage equality free vote

THE Coalition is no closer to allowing its MPs a free vote on marriage equality despite LGBTI advocates saying there is now a slim majority in parliament in favour of change.

The inaction comes as new polling shows support for marriage equality in key Coalition marginal seats has now reached almost 70 per cent.

Last week, Prime Minister Tony Abbott appeared to leave the door open to axing the party’s binding vote against marriage equality which is seen as essential if the measure is to pass.

However, at today’s Coalition party room meeting — which comes just a day after Labor leader Bill Shorten introduced a marriage equality bill to Parliament — a free vote was not even discussed, according to Australian Marriage Equality (AME).

AME National Director Rodney Croome said the government was in no position to criticise Shorten’s bill if it then failed to debate a free vote.

“The community is growing increasingly impatient with the Federal Government for not dealing with a free vote,” he said.

“Marriage equality is easy, popular and doesn’t cost a cent. Let’s get it done.”

This morning, Liberal MP for Corangamite Sarah Henderson announced she would vote for marriage equality if a free vote was given.

“Support for marriage equality is consistent with fundamental Liberal values which embrace freedom of the individual and stable, long term relationships,” she said in a statement.

“If two people love each other and wish to commit to a life together, they should have the option to be recognised equally under the law.”

Henderson’s announcement has led marriage equality advocates to suggest they may now have the 76 votes needed to get same-sex marriage over the line.

Nevertheless, at Sunday’s marriage equality rally in Sydney a leading pro-reform voice in the Liberal Party, City of Sydney councillor Christine Forster, warned against going to a vote too soon.

“There are still an awful lot of people we need to bring along on this journey — on the Liberal side certainly but also on the Labor side,” she said.

“But what we want is to bring them to a point where we can have a resounding yes, an Irish result.”

Meanwhile, polling by Reachtel on the weekend showed support for marriage equality was now higher in four key Coalition marginals than the result in last month’s Irish referendum.

In the Melbourne’s eastern suburbs seat of LaTrobe support for marriage equality is at 67 per cent while in the Gold Coast electorate of McPherson those in favour tip 69 per cent.

Nevertheless, anti-marriage equality voices are beginning to be heard.

This morning, the Liberal’s Zed Seselja criticised fellow MP Assistant Treasurer Josh Frydenberg for saying on ABC’s Q&A last night that marriage equality was “inevitable”.

The ACT Senator said Frydenberg’s comment was “unhelpful” and urged the Coalition to stay true to its policy of retaining the current definition of marriage.

“I think it’s also important that where we do have a long-standing party position that ministers support that party position publicly,” he said.

Yesterday, Abbott said the government’s priority was the budget.

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36 responses to “Coalition fails to give green light to marriage equality free vote”

  1. I have a new theory! Say if New Zealand invaded Australia tomorrow? Would we then have marriage equality here, since it is under New Zealand rule of law?

  2. Lets just abolish and repeal the Marriage Act 1961!

    Repeal In Full Marriage Act 1961 Bill 2015

    Introduced 3/6/15;
    First Reading 3/6/15;
    To Senate Constitutional Legal Affairs Committee 3/6/15;

    1. This law becomes effective from the date of Assent.

    2. This law fully abolishes and repeals the Marriage Act 1961.

    Schedule 1 –

    [Abolish and Repeal in full]

    Marriage Act 1961.

  3. Can I introduce a bill?, allowing for capital punishment – just for toxic Tony Abbott!

    Toxic Tony Abbott Capital Punishment In Bali Bill 2015

    INTRODUCED 3/6/15;
    First Reading 3/6/15;
    To House Judiciary Committee 3/6/15;

    1) This law becomes effective from the date of Assent.

    2) Toxic Tony Abbott is the only person within Australia that will be legally allowed to be sent to Bali in exile, to be executed by firing squad within Bali.

    • Add: – “Fred Nile” and “Cory Benardi” to the list as well.

  4. What a total embarrassing joke our own prime minister Tony Abbott really is! If he can not pass a Budget Bill in the Senate, how can he even pass a simple Same-Sex Marriage Bill? Everyone I beg of you, next year at the next federal election go straight to the voting station, get your name marked off and get both your ballot voting sheets and straight away “Vote 1 Australian Sex Party!” Get rid of Tony Abbott and co! Then we can finally have marriage equality – sometime late next year!

    REMEMBER: Vote 1 Australian Sex Party (ASP)!

  5. This country Australia is seriously being run by the KKK, Taliban, Russian and Italian Mafia, Al-Qaida, ISL and ISIS – courtesy of Tony Abbott and co. Tony Abbott is a creep that looks just like a child molester and kiddy fiddler!

    • I bet $1,000,000,000,000,000 that there is no doubt in my mind, that Tony Abbott is a very dangerous serial peadophile!

  6. I maybe an old queen, but I knew exactly this would happen, there are still not enough votes in the Australian Parliament for the SSM bill to pass! Tony Abbott has always been a SSM bill wrecker – I would not even trust him at the NRMA smash repairers with my car! We need to kick him out and fire that retarded total spasticated fuck-wit called Tony Abbott once and for all and Vote 1 Greens, 2 Labor! He is just a robot build by ISIS and not a human being – without allowing the Liberal team a simple conscience vote!

  7. BREAKING NEWS: the Liberals want a return to work-choices, re-introducing the ban on gay sex, re-introducing the ban on women voting, re-introduce the white Australia policy, and re-introduce slavery! The cunts (sorry the Liberals) will NEVER change!

  8. they say they’ll discuss it, but it is not a priority to them we will never have marriage equality in Australia if we leave it up to the government it has to be up to the people

  9. Playing politics with people’s life’s, so annoys me. Tony couldn’t possibly support it at the moment, cause Bill moved it…. school yard CRAP.

  10. I’m happy to wait another year, the last thing I want is for this ludicrous ape of a PM to take credit for bringing equality to Australia.

  11. Thanks labor for getting our hopes up again …. Knowing full well it’s Only going to be dashed by the coalition. So sick of having my life dictated by politicians . Can’t wait too the day this system dies and more direct democracy system is in place because this one doesn’t work . They take and take but never give back .

    • Worse they are just using us for political point scoring. Popular budget, and an upcoming fight at the alp conference over this issue.

      For all the praise Labor is getting they still don’t bind to force a Yes vote in marriage equality for all their MPs.

      • It was just a silly and army style tactical “publicity stunt” by Labor’s Electricity Bill (sorry Bill Shorten), to get more votes by us LGBTI people!

  12. Bottom line – no movement by the Liberals towards marriage equality…none.

    Bill Shorten was absolutely right to move the ALP’s bill to enable marriage equality. There is ZERO action from the Abbott Government.