Australian Coalition decides AGAINST conscience vote for Marriage Equality

[Blake 7,385]

It’s official. There’s no change from our government on its marriage policy.

Coalition MPs will all still vote as one to block marriage equality, no matter who introduces a bill to change Australia’s Marriage Act.

The Coalition met for lengthy joint party discussions today, finally addressing their stance on upcoming marriage equality bills by deciding there’ll be no conscience vote for its MPs.

The drawn-out party room debate suggests there are passionately held views on both sides, ironically highlighting the need for each MP to have a free vote on the issue.

Maverick MP Warren Entsch raised the issue in a Liberal Party Room meeting this morning, saying he wants a cross-party marriage equality bill he signed to be debated in the Main Chamber in coming days.

Entsch’s bill has the support of Labor, the Greens and several Independent MPs, so had the best chance of succeeding. Labor MPs have an individual conscience vote on the legislation – most of them will support it, but not all.

Source: http://www.samesame.com.au/news/12629/Coalition-decides-No-free-vote-on-marriage

 

[sarahb 17,185]

Just 

[soundwave 193]

Tony Abbott will be voted out next election, guaranteed. 

[Bebe 17,289]

Yeah, very disappointing. I don't understand how they can't accept that they are just delaying the inevitable.

Future generations will look back and see how horribly slow Australia was to catch up on this issue.

The more they push back now, the worse they are going to look in the future.

[monsterdreams 1,529]

Ffs what is their goddamn problem 

[Robotboy 1,700]

australia catch up will you

[ryhanna 3,507]

It's beyond time we caught up to the rest of the world. 

[Katsuki Bakugo 9,788]

Done with this kafukta government

[MyQueen 2,409]

NO rebel heart for Australia

[YCHofficial 5,293]

Tbh imo... I think we have bigger problems in the world.

[clefable 296]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=06qiEEcziAM

[Elizabeth 750]

In the future, this will be looked back on as an embarrassing moment for Australia. The fact we're so behind on this is ridiculous. 

Tbh imo... I think we have bigger problems in the world.

Right, but it doesn't mean that this isn't an issue that needs addressing. For a first world country, Australia is scarily behind on marriage equality. If Australia can't even legalise same-s-x marriage because of a conservative government, then there's no chance of progress for other issues such as Indigenous Rights or policy towards asylum seekers? I think when catholic countries such as Ireland, and countries with huge same-s-x marriage opposition such as the USA can legalise it, then it's extremely concerning that a supposedly secular and progressive country cannot bring themselves to do it. 

[Nicole 1,809]

Not surprising tbh. 

I'm actually horrified at Abbott. I mean, Australia is literally on the Human Rights watch list, does he care about the picture he's drawing of Australia at all?

 

The only relatively positive way of looking at this is is that hopefully when Abbott is out, the stats for support of equal marriage among citizens will only increase with time and hence if we do have a referendum eventually with a new PM the odds of it passing will only be better.