Parents & Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) Australia
ADVOCATES CALL ON TURNBULL TO DROP PLEBISCITE PLAN
Marriage equality advocates have welcomed the final Senate result saying there is a good possibility the Government’s proposed plebiscite could be blocked.
Labor, the Greens and the Xenophon Team have all expressed their opposition to a plebiscite and only one more Senator is required to vote it down.
Long-time marriage equality advocate, Rodney Croome, who resigned from his role at Australian Marriage Equality on Tuesday to campaign against a plebiscite, said,
“The Senate results potentially make it difficult for the Government to move forward with a plebiscite so I urge it to drop the idea and have a free vote in parliament instead.”
“A free vote is a quicker, cheaper and less risky path to a reform the majority of Australians not only support but are impatient for.”
“The Government has no mandate for a plebiscite because it refused to give any details about its proposal before the election, whereas Labor, the Greens and some crossbenchers were very clear in their opposition to a national vote and have a mandate to block it.”
National spokesperson for Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays, Shelley Argent, vowed to campaign hard to ensure the Senate blocks a plebiscite.
“Recent research shows overwhelming opposition to a plebiscite in the LGBTI community and declining support in the general community.”
“In the lead up to the next sitting of parliament we will be launching a new campaign to encourage everyday Australians to voice their concerns to federal politicians and call for a free vote”
“We don’t want to stop marriage equality, we want to change the process so it is less costly, less damaging, fairer and faster.”
A recent Galaxy poll found support in the general community for a marriage equality plebiscite has declined to 48%. A survey of 5,500 LGBTI Australians released on Monday found 85% opposition to a plebiscite, including 60% opposition under any circumstances.
Rodney Croome, Shelley Argent
