Page 2941 - Week 08 - Thursday, 17 August 2017

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As we have already seen, this will go beyond just the question of marriage equality. A former Prime Minister has suggested that a no vote is a vote against political correctness; that it is a vote in favour of religious freedom. So already the debate is being significantly expanded. To suggest that extending equal rights to LGBTIQ Australians will somehow undermine religious freedom or further the cause of political correctness is absurd, but it is already a feature of this debate.

There are times in our lives, ladies and gentlemen, fellow members of this Assembly, when we have to stand for something. All too often we debate things in the abstract in this place. But this is something that matters to people. It is going to change people’s lives and there is a great risk of doing huge damage to people along the way.

I do not even want to begin to contemplate what will happen in this country if the voluntary postal survey comes back with a no, but it will be devastating for unity in this country. That is why I think it is so important that a yes vote is achieved and why I want the ACT to record the highest participation rate and the highest yes vote, and why we are putting this motion before the Assembly today.

Question put:

That the amendment be agreed to.

The Assembly voted—

Amendment negatived.

Original question resolved in the affirmative.

Appropriation Bill 2017-2018

[Cognate bill:

Appropriation (Office of the Legislative Assembly) Bill 2017-2018

Cognate papers:

Estimates 2017-2018—Select Committee report

Estimates 2017-2018—Selection Committee—government response]

Detail stage

Schedule 1—Appropriations—Proposed expenditure.

Community Services Directorate—Part 1.7.

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