Why the hell should we have to have a vote on the obvious? Why can't the politicians just represent us? If we have to vote on marriage equality, why then don't we vote on many of the other things the Lieberals are trying to force down our throat? How about not bombing Syria for example?
From the email from the Greens. Submissions are closed BTW.
It’s been quite a week in Parliament.
Amongst the other critical issues facing our nation, marriage equality is moving forward.
Last night I was part of a Senate Inquiry hearing about the best way to achieve marriage equality in Australia. Hundreds of Australians wrote to the Inquiry and told their stories of love, called for the Parliament to show leadership and submitted evidence about the best way for Australia to catch up with the rest of the world.
Overwhelmingly the Inquiry heard that the best way to achieve marriage equality is for the Parliament to do its job and vote to end discrimination.
We set up this inquiry to hear from the community, and to make sure that the Prime Minister doesn’t get let off the hook. He wants a popular vote because he does not have the political courage to do his job and allow the parliamentarians Australians elected to do theirs.
This Inquiry puts pressure on the PM to do the right thing and allow the Parliament to make a decision on marriage equality.
We heard from a diverse range of people last night. We listened to evidence from psychologists and constitutional academics; human rights experts and LGBTIQ advocates; religious organisations, rainbow families and the Australian Electoral Commission.
And across the board the strongest message was that Parliament can and should vote on marriage equality. The cross party bill in the Lower House is ready to go. Equality really is only a vote away.
But some of what I heard really concerned me. The cost of a stand-alone public vote could be upwards of $158.4 million. And, there is real fear and concern about the impact of a popular vote on the public health and mental wellbeing of many LGBTIQ Australians and their families -- especially if there is a big public campaign run by anti-equality advocates.
Polls already tell us that the vast majority of Australians support marriage equality. Let’s get on with it.
I want to personally thank the hundreds of you who sent in your own personal submissions to the inquiry. Your stories make a difference every time you tell them.
On Wednesday 16 September the Inquiry Report will be tabled. I’ll post a link online – follow me on Facebook or Twitter to make sure you are in the loop.
Any day now PM Abbott could announce his captain’s pick for either a plebiscite or a referendum – once again just delaying the inevitable. We must be prepared and make sure he doesn’t control the timing or the question.
Like you, I know that the time for marriage equality has come. Let’s keep working together to get this done as quickly as possible.
With pride, Senator Janet Rice Australian Greens LGBTIQ Spokesperson
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