Any hope for cross-party marriage equality bill has been scuttled, with the Coalition voting against allowing MPs a free or conscience vote on the issue. After a six hour debate last night, it was voted by a margin of around 60 to 30 that Coalition MPs will vote as one to block any marriage equality legislation. Liberal MP Warren Entsch, who is to introduce a cross-party bill to allow same-sex marriage on Monday, says it will now fail. “Given today’s decision, the likelihood of failure - should it come to a vote - is assured.” Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott says there was strong support for the existing position that ‘marriage is between a man and a woman’. “The last thing you should do is dud the people who voted for you,” he told reporters in Canberra. “If you support the existing definition of marriage between a man and a woman, the Coalition is absolutely on your side. But if you would like to see change at some time in the future, the coalition is prepared to make that potentially possible.” Abbott’s added this morning that any Coalition frontbenchers who cross the floor and defy the position will be sacked. He is calling for a referendum on the issue, despite polls clearly showing support for marriage equality. The High Court has already removed all constitutional obstacles to reform in Australia and a referendum is not needed for change. Australian Marriage Equality National Director Rodney Croome says the Abbott Government has disappointed and angered millions of Australians by deciding to remain on the wrong side of history, “but momentum will only build and love will win out”. He says clearly, opponents of marriage equality in the Coalition know they don't have the numbers on the floor of the house or they wouldn't be so scared of a free vote. "We urge supporters of marriage equality in parliament to press ahead with legislation in both houses and we urge Coalition members to be brave and cross the floor. "We don't see the need for a plebiscite or referendum, but if there is to be one it must be at the next election and it must be authorised by parliamentary legislation and not on Tony Abbott's terms. "You can't stop love and if this parliament fails to achieve marriage equality we will make sure the next one will." Meanwhile, the Sydney Morning Herald says Abbott has been accused by members of his own Liberal Party of ‘stacking’ the meeting by even bringing the Liberals’ socially conservative junior partner the Nationals into the discussions.
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Wednesday, 12th August 2015 - 8:08am