Page 2638 - Week 08 - Wednesday, 10 August 2016
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video
(c) confirms its position that marriage equality is best achieved through a free vote of all Federal members and senators; and
(d) notes that a national plebiscite on marriage equality remains the current policy of the Liberal National Party Coalition, and consequently may be the only way to achieve marriage equality in this Federal parliamentary term;
(2) this Assembly further calls on the Australian Parliament to:
(a) consider the issue of marriage equality as a priority when sittings resume; and
(b) resolve the issue through a free vote of all Members of Parliament; and
(3) if the Federal Parliament determines to hold a marriage equality plebiscite, the Assembly calls on the ACT Government to:
(a) demonstrate that the ACT is Australia’s most lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, and questioning (LGBTIQ) friendly jurisdiction by supporting the case for marriage equality;
(b) actively engage in the local and national plebiscite debate;
(c) support ACT Government employees participating in constructive, respectful and informed discussions on the issue; and
(d) support local LGBTIQ communities throughout the plebiscite process, particularly during the SpringOut Pride Festival in October and November 2016.
This is an important motion. I believe it is fitting that on this, the last private members’ day of this Assembly, the ACT Labor government again brings to the table the issue of marriage equality and support for same-sex marriage. Marriage equality is an issue that this government has never shied away from. We will continue to fight for what we believe is a fundamental right, a right that we will continue to fight for now and into the next term of government. Whilst we understand that it is the federal government’s policy to have a plebiscite on the issue of marriage equality, this is not our preferred method. But let me be clear: if it is pursued, the ACT will do everything we can do to support a yes to marriage equality outcome. Today is an opportunity to again put on record the support that we on this side of the chamber have for marriage equality and our desire to see the issue resolved in a way that is respectful to all those in the community who wish to have this issue dealt with and who are directly or indirectly impacted.
I, among others, do not believe that a plebiscite is the way to bring about this equality. I believe it is a failing on the part of the Turnbull government that it considers it an appropriate avenue to resolve a matter that the federal parliament can resolve right now without creating a divisive and costly public debate. Complex and sensitive issues are better decided after debate in parliament, not in the heat of what could be public division and emotional campaigns run across the community. There is genuine concern that a plebiscite campaign could, unfortunately, bring about ill feeling,
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video