Australian Marriage Equality gets behind a plebiscite - reluctantly

It's not the preferred option for a number of reasons, but Abbott looks like he's going to go ahead with it anyway. No doubt he'll try to sabotage that too by framing it in his own terms, so Australian Marriage Equality thinks it's better to be involved in the process itself to avoid it being Abbotted.

This from an email:

It's been a tough few days for the marriage equality campaign, and I am sure like me you are frustrated and saddened. 

Today, Green and cross-bench Senators unveiled a proposal for a marriage equality plebiscite at the next election. 

Australian Marriage Equality continues to support achieving marriage equality by a free vote in our federal parliament, but Tuesday's Coalition party room decision against a free vote means that will be impossible under this government. 

Meanwhile, the Prime Minister and other government members have said they intend to put forward a plebiscite or a referendum on the issue, possibly after the election. 

It is not our favoured option, but If there has to be a public vote on marriage equality, here is what we think: 

a) our preference is a plebiscite where the timing and question is set by parliament, not Tony Abbott (he has the power to set a plebiscite entirely on his own terms) 
b) the best time would be the next election to ensure the best turn out of voters and the least delay and expense 
c) polls show a properly conducted plebiscite would return a resounding 'yes' vote 
d) we oppose a referendum (which would change the definition of marriage in the Constitution) because the High Court has already ruled making a referendum unnecessary 

This was not an easy decision. We have opposed plebiscites in the past because marriage equality should be resolved by parliament, because a plebiscite would delay reform and because a plebiscite campaign could be divisive and hateful. 

But it is clear to us from the public and private statements from members of the Government that it will go down this path regardless of our opposition. There'll be a national vote whether we want one or not. 

The choice before us is to accept this on Tony Abbott's terms, OR to welcome attempts from our supporters to frame a plebiscite in a way that has a fair question and a proper process. We have chosen the latter. The ball is now in Tony Abbott's court. 

We continue to lobby hard for marriage equality legislation to be brought on in both houses of parliament and for Coalition members to cross the floor and vote for these bills, even though not enough members will cross to make reform happen. 

We are also developing a strategy for making marriage equality a major issue at the next election, regardless of a plebiscite. 

Best wishes and thank you for your continued support for marriage equality 

Rodney Croome AM 
National Director  

I take note that this is now lining up to be a major election issue.