The Independent Member for Denison, Andrew Wilkie, has been joined by Member for Melbourne Adam Bandt and Member for Indi Cathy McGowan to discuss the cross-party Private Member’s Bill that they will be giving notice of.
“Members of the House of Representatives crossbench will on Wednesday announce a cross-party Private Member’s Bill to legislate marriage equality,” Mr Wilkie said.
“The Bill will be identical to that tabled during the previous Parliament which was co-sponsored by Coalition, Labor, Greens and independent Members. In essence the Bill would legalise marriage equality while at the same time protecting the right of churches to choose who they marry.
“This new Bill already has the support of me, Cathy McGowan and Adam Bandt and we are inviting representatives of all parties to join as additional co-sponsors, as they did in the previous Parliament.
While any Coalition support for a Labor Party marriage equality Bill appears inconceivable, giving their support to a cross-party Bill organised by the crossbench seems much more likely.
“It is also hoped that the Government and the Opposition will see the sense in supporting this Bill, thereby avoiding the divisive and costly plebiscite. If the Government refuses to do that, then hopefully at least three Coalition members would be prepared to cross the floor in order to force a vote on the Bill.
“I note that the Labor Party have announced their own marriage equality Private Member’s Bill but encourage them to support our cross-party Bill because this provides the very best chance of achieving reform.”
The Independent Member for Denison, Andrew Wilkie
