Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has introduced a bill into Parliament to legislate a plebiscite on same-sex marriage.
The bill states that the plebiscite, which will be decided by a simple majority, will be held on Saturday, 11th February, next year with the question to read: ‘Should the law be changed to allow same-sex couples to marry?’
Under the bill, $170 million in funding will be provided to the Australian Electoral Commission to run the plebiscite, including $15 million to be divided equally between official ‘yes’ and ‘no’ campaigns. These will be run by committees made up of MPs and citizens appointed by the Attorney-General George Brandis and Special Minister of State Scott Ryan.
Mr Turnbull, who noted that he and his wife Lucy were personally in favor of changing the law to allow same-sex marriage, said the issue was one of “conscience” for millions of Australians who had “sincerely held” but differing views on it. “And it is vital that we respect all of those views in this debate,” he said.
Mr Turnbull said it was “utterly wrong” for MPs to characterise those who don’t believe same-sex marriage should be legalised as “homophobic, as hating homosexuals”.
“We have to respect there are sincerely held views on this issue. They are views very often informed by deeply…felt conscience, informed by religious commitment, very often, informed by faith. We have to respect and we must respect, and I can say the Government respects, the diversity of views on this issue.”
Mr Turnbull said the argument that “Australians cannot be trusted to have a civil conversation” insults and disrepects the Australian people. “If ever there is an issue to be put to a plebiscite this is one that can be and should be because it is a very straightforward question.”
Mr Turnbull asked Labor to support the bill which he says was a commitment the Coalition took to the election “which we are honouring now”.
The bill is likely to pass in the House of Representatives, where the Coalition has a narrow majority, but may run into difficulties in the Senate where the Greens and a number of cross-benchers have already pledged to vote against it. It is as yet unknown whether the Labor Opposition will vote against the bill although the ABC is reporting that an ALP source has said Mr Shorten is expected to tell Labor MPs to block the legislation next month.
The news was welcomed by the Australian Christian Lobby with managing director Lyle Shelton thanking Mr Turnbull for the “gracious and inclusive tone” he set in introducing the legislation.
“Mr Turnbull has set a gracious and inclusive tone which authorises all Australians to participate in the discussion about whether or not marriage is redefined…” Mr Shelton said. “It was great to hear the Prime Minister respecting the points of view of all Australians.”
Mr Shelton said the ACL looked forward to “continuing to participate in a respectful debate”, adding the organisation hoped the Australian Labor Party would “allow the people to have their say” by passing the legislation in the Senate.
