Sarah Hanson-Young
The Guardian reports:
“The Greens [in Australia] have brought forward a Senate debate on their marriage equality bill in a bid to capitalise on momentum for change following Ireland’s successful referendum to introduce same-sex marriage at the weekend.”
“The Greens senator Sarah Hanson-Young has a private member’s bill before parliament on changing the Marriage Act to remove restrictions on marriage being between a man and a woman.”
“The party will move to have the debate on the bill brought forward to 18 June, with a final vote slated for 12 November before parliament rises for its summer break.”
And the Financial Review reports:
“Federal Opposition Leader [in Australia] Bill Shorten will take the initiative in the long stalled Australia debate about gay marriage, giving notice he will move a private member’s bill in Parliament next week on marriage equality.”
“The move follows the historic referendum result in Ireland on the weekend and comes after signals that key figures within Labor who have previously been opposed to changes in the law have softened their stance. Deputy Leader Tanya Plibersek will second the motion for the legislation.”
Same-sex marriage debate brought forward by Australian Greens (The Guardian)
Bill Shorten to take the initiative on gay marriage (Financial Review)
Previously: How Low Can Australia Go?
Thanks Donie
The Irish referendum has definitely put this back on the agenda.
I wish SHY well. Boy, does she stir the RWNJ’s – in a similar way to the reaction Hilary Clinton gets.
The dynamics in Australia are interesting, including a mix of the Catholic right wing and progressive left of the Labor party, the conservative Liberal/National coalition, and various micro party representatives in the Federal Senate.
Apparently, 70% of the Australian population supports marriage equality but it has not been possible to get a majority of MPs to agree to it. I have heard someone complaining on Irish radio that 90% of politicians supported marriage equality but it only got 62% of the popular vote.
I can’t see Tony Abbott letting this get up while he is PM, unless he sees the opportunity to extend his tenure as PM. His sister is a lesbian, and pro-marriage equality.