‘Parliament should decide marriage equality, people should decide Indigenous constitutional recognition’: Chris Bowen
INDIGENOUS recognition in the constitution should be prioritised over a plebiscite on same-sex marriage, according to shadow treasurer Chris Bowen in an interview with Sky News Australia’s Sunday Agenda.
Bowen argued that the plebiscite was unnecessary and advocated a parliamentary vote.
“It would be much better for the nation if we did what we’re paid to do… go into parliament, have a vote on our consciences,” Bowen said.
The Shadow Treasurer believed issues surrounding Indigenous Affairs weren’t being addressed because of this debate.
“I want to see the constitution recognise Indigenous Australians and I want to see that put forward in a bipartisan fashion as a matter of some priority,” Bowen said.
“Now while we’re having this debate about a plebiscite, we’re not discussing the important matter of Indigenous recognition in the constitution.
The nation can only deal with so many referendums or plebiscites at once and I think we’re focusing in the wrong way on the wrong issues here.”
.@Bowenchris says 'it would be better for the nation' if there was a parliamentary debate on gay marriage #auspol https://t.co/yBuj3if3Rt
— Sky News Australia (@SkyNewsAust) July 23, 2016
Bowen reiterated that if any thing should be decided by the people, it should be Indigenous recognition.
“The parliament should be deciding marriage equality, the people should be deciding Indigenous recognition in the constitution,” the Shadow Treasurer said.
“While we’re having this debate about a plebiscite we’re not progressing the matter of Indigenous recognition in the constitution and I think that’s a shame.”
Why do we allow bedwetters and fools to make more noise than sense?
Marriage is about children not adults!
John Abbott
“Marriage is about children not adults”.
So tell us John – where does that leave married straight couples who are childless by choice?
No vote needed when Howard inserted his discriminatory vitriol into the Marriage Act– *specifically* to prevent same-sex couples from adopting!! What a f*ckhead. Never mind the poor kids stuck forever in a broken system of abuse– wankers.
No plebiscite!!!!!! Equality for all. If not, then I pay NO TAX. NONE.
It’s a stupid illusion & is a smokescreen at that.
The ones who support it? *rss-hats, every, single one.
What are you afraid of? Your own shadow of sexual inhibition? Step off!
Actually lets some facts straight here.
1. Marriage is a federal issue
2. Adoption of children is a state or territory issue. Only SA, NT and QLD still ban gay couples from adopting children.
3. I would fully 100 percent welcome a refaremdum on recognising aboriginal people within our national constitution. Tasmania is currently the only state in Australia to also not recognise aboriginal people within the state constitution. QLD, NSW, VIC, SA and WA state constitutions fully recognise aboriginal people.
4. The Australian Parliament should do there job in September when they get back to work and pass a marriage equality bill at a cost of only $1.2 million for three days or 72 hours of debate. Not an expensive $160 million plebiscite.
5. SA, NT and WA still have no recognition scheme of relationships – such as civil unions or domestic partnerships.
6. Both WA and SA still ban surrogacy for gay couples.
7. No gay sex criminal record expungement scheme exists in WA, NT, QLD and TAS.
8. The age of consent in Queensland is still unequal – if you have anal sex at 18, while it is 16 for oral and viginal sex.
Funny how decisions needing to be made re: minorities are ALWAYS MADE BY ENTITLED WHITE MEN?
Eff-off, Chris Bowen
What a wanker