Same-sex marriage: Bill Shorten calls for Coalition MPs to support new law
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Version 0 of 1. The Labor leader, Bill Shorten, says parliamentarians need to embrace a new definition of marriage that respects, values and includes all Australians – not just heterosexual couples. Shorten was due to make his pitch on Monday morning while introducing a private member’s bill legalising same sex unions and recognising marriages conducted previously overseas. According to an extract of his speech circulated by his office on Sunday, Shorten planned to say: “When someone has found not just another person they can live with, but a person they can’t live without, then they should have the same right to the true qualities of a bond that runs deeper than any law.” “The same joy and sacrifice, care and compassion; the same rights and responsibilities.” The Labor leader also argues that legalising same sex marriage sends a message of inclusion to younger Australians. “We are proud of you, for who you are. You belong.” Shorten was expected to introduce his legislation in the House of Representatives late on Monday morning. On Sunday Labor’s deputy leader, Tanya Plibersek, said she was happy to vacate her role as seconder of the Shorten bill if a Liberal MP would step forward as a co-sponsor. Shorten on Sunday phoned the Liberal MP Warren Entsch, a prominent Coalition advocate for same sex rights, to ask for his support. Entsch told him he was happy to have a conversation after the budget session. “I’m happy to talk after the budget session,” Entsch told Guardian Australia on Sunday. “It’s got to be cross party. I’ll continue to pursue that.” Plibersek told an equal marriage rally in Sydney a bipartisan bill would have a much better chance of passing through parliament. But the prime minister suggested now was not the time to pursue the issue. Tony Abbott said marriage equality was “important” but the priority this week must be the budget. “I’ve made it very clear that while this is an important issue, the government has an absolute focus right now on getting the budget measures through the parliament,” Tony Abbott told reporters in Sydney on Sunday. “That’s what I’m absolutely focused on – getting the budget small business boost through the parliament and I invite Mr Shorten to join with me so that this legislation can be passed as swiftly as possible this week.” Labor has already telegraphed its support for the small business measures unveiled in the recent budget. The prime minister’s sister, Christine Forster, has called for bipartisanship to advance the cause of legalising same sex marriage in Australia. She’s warned Labor against turning the issue into a “political football.” Forster characterises the Shorten bill as an effort to claim public ownership of the issue, rather than proceeding in cooperative spirit. Labor has been signalling its support for a cross-party effort to legislate for marriage equality since last March. Shorten picked up the pace last week by producing his private member’s bill in the wake of the Irish referendum which endorsed same sex marriage. Labor MPs have been at public loggerheads in recent weeks ahead of the party’s national conference in July about whether or not ALP parliamentarians should be “bound” during any forthcoming marriage equality vote rather than voting on the issue according to conscience, which is the current policy. Shorten over the weekend said he wanted to proceed with reform on a bipartisan basis. “We look forward to bipartisanship and a free vote from the Liberal party,” he said. Several Labor MPs have already offered to co-sponsor a cross-party bill for same-sex marriage – a prospect that Coalition supporters say provides the greatest hope for such a law to pass the Australian parliament. Entsch said last week he was confident that a co-sponsored bill by Coalition, Labor, Greens and independents could emerge by August. Public attitudes to marriage equality in Australia have completely transformed in the past decade. From only 38% in 2004, support for same-sex marriage now stands at 70-plus per cent in Australia, according to public opinion polls. A poll taken in July 2014 by the Liberal party’s preferred pollster, Crosby Textor, also found that most respondents identifying with major church groups were now positive about marriage equality – as were older Australians. |