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| Bill Shorten tells Tony Abbott: same-sex marriage bill won't stop budget debates | Bill Shorten tells Tony Abbott: same-sex marriage bill won't stop budget debates |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Bill Shorten has rejected Tony Abbott’s argument that the Labor leader’s bill for marriage equality in Australia distracts from budget debates. | Bill Shorten has rejected Tony Abbott’s argument that the Labor leader’s bill for marriage equality in Australia distracts from budget debates. |
| Shorten, the opposition leader, presented legislation to the House of Representatives on Monday that would change the Marriage Act to allow two people to marry regardless of gender. The parliamentary debate has been adjourned to a later date. | Shorten, the opposition leader, presented legislation to the House of Representatives on Monday that would change the Marriage Act to allow two people to marry regardless of gender. The parliamentary debate has been adjourned to a later date. |
| Related: Bill Shorten introduces same sex marriage bill – politics live | Related: Bill Shorten introduces same sex marriage bill – politics live |
| In introducing the bill, Shorten took aim at the prime minister’s push to delay consideration of the issue because of the government’s desire to pass small business tax incentives this week. | In introducing the bill, Shorten took aim at the prime minister’s push to delay consideration of the issue because of the government’s desire to pass small business tax incentives this week. |
| “This moment does not distract the nation – it complements our hopes for the future,” Shorten told parliament. | “This moment does not distract the nation – it complements our hopes for the future,” Shorten told parliament. |
| Related: Bill Shorten introduces marriage equality bill – speech in full | |
| “Our laws should be a mirror, reflecting our great and generous country and our free, inclusive society, and our parliament should be a place where we make things happen rather than sit back and let them happen. | “Our laws should be a mirror, reflecting our great and generous country and our free, inclusive society, and our parliament should be a place where we make things happen rather than sit back and let them happen. |
| “On marriage equality, for too long we in this parliament have been following, not leading. It is within our power to change this. | “On marriage equality, for too long we in this parliament have been following, not leading. It is within our power to change this. |
| “This parliament can change a law that no longer describes modern Australia, and pass a law of which we can all be proud. Let us delay no more.” | “This parliament can change a law that no longer describes modern Australia, and pass a law of which we can all be proud. Let us delay no more.” |
| The Australian parliament last voted on bills to allow same-sex marriage in 2012, when the proposal was defeated in both houses. | The Australian parliament last voted on bills to allow same-sex marriage in 2012, when the proposal was defeated in both houses. |
| Since then, political support for the change has grown but the Coalition is yet to grant its members a free vote that would allow them to support same-sex marriage. | Since then, political support for the change has grown but the Coalition is yet to grant its members a free vote that would allow them to support same-sex marriage. |
| Shorten sought to seize the initiative in the week after Ireland became the latest country to approve same-sex marriage, but some supporters within the Liberal party criticised the Labor leader’s bill as a political manoeuvre that would not ensure the best chances of success. | Shorten sought to seize the initiative in the week after Ireland became the latest country to approve same-sex marriage, but some supporters within the Liberal party criticised the Labor leader’s bill as a political manoeuvre that would not ensure the best chances of success. |
| Liberal MP Warren Entsch is planning to speak to Shorten after the parliamentary budget session about moving forward with cross-party efforts, potentially involving a separate bill co-sponsored by Coalition, Labor, Greens and independent MPs. | Liberal MP Warren Entsch is planning to speak to Shorten after the parliamentary budget session about moving forward with cross-party efforts, potentially involving a separate bill co-sponsored by Coalition, Labor, Greens and independent MPs. |
| Related: Men in matching kilts: just one more reason to support same-sex marriage | Rebecca Shaw | Related: Men in matching kilts: just one more reason to support same-sex marriage | Rebecca Shaw |
| Abbott, who last week declared that the entire parliament should own the decision if it voted to approve same-sex marriage, visited a Harvey Norman store in Canberra on Monday to promote the budget’s small business measures. | Abbott, who last week declared that the entire parliament should own the decision if it voted to approve same-sex marriage, visited a Harvey Norman store in Canberra on Monday to promote the budget’s small business measures. |
| The prime minister said he accepted same-sex marriage was a significant issue that was important to many people, but he said that all Coalition MPs were “focused on doing everything possible to get the budget measures through the parliament in this budget session”. | The prime minister said he accepted same-sex marriage was a significant issue that was important to many people, but he said that all Coalition MPs were “focused on doing everything possible to get the budget measures through the parliament in this budget session”. |
| “Now, I accept that there are a range of views inside the Coalition, just as there is a range of views inside the Labor party, just as there are a range of views inside the community, and people are perfectly entitled to talk to their colleagues on this and any other issue, but everyone, every single one of us on the Coalition side, is focused in the next few weeks on getting our small business budget boost through the parliament,” he said. | “Now, I accept that there are a range of views inside the Coalition, just as there is a range of views inside the Labor party, just as there are a range of views inside the community, and people are perfectly entitled to talk to their colleagues on this and any other issue, but everyone, every single one of us on the Coalition side, is focused in the next few weeks on getting our small business budget boost through the parliament,” he said. |
| Asked about his message for Coalition MPs who wanted to co-sponsor a bill, Abbott said: “Well, we don’t have to do everything immediately.” | Asked about his message for Coalition MPs who wanted to co-sponsor a bill, Abbott said: “Well, we don’t have to do everything immediately.” |
| He refused to concede that most Australians were in favour of same-sex marriage: “Obviously, there is a community debate taking place. There’s a range of views on both sides of the issue and it’s an issue upon which decent people can disagree – let’s see where it all goes.” | He refused to concede that most Australians were in favour of same-sex marriage: “Obviously, there is a community debate taking place. There’s a range of views on both sides of the issue and it’s an issue upon which decent people can disagree – let’s see where it all goes.” |
| Shorten said Labor’s deputy leader, Tanya Plibersek, had co-signed the bill but offered her place on the legislation to a member of the government. | Shorten said Labor’s deputy leader, Tanya Plibersek, had co-signed the bill but offered her place on the legislation to a member of the government. |
| “Tanya, thank you,” Shorten said. “Your actions, the advocacy of Senator Penny Wong and the goodwill of many across the parliament, prove that bipartisanship is not the problem here. What matters is the outcome, not who owns it.” | “Tanya, thank you,” Shorten said. “Your actions, the advocacy of Senator Penny Wong and the goodwill of many across the parliament, prove that bipartisanship is not the problem here. What matters is the outcome, not who owns it.” |
| Only five Coalition MPs were in the chamber to hear Shorten introduce his private member’s bill. Shorten emphasised that the bill would send a powerful message of inclusion, but would not compel any minister of religion to conduct a particular marriage. | Only five Coalition MPs were in the chamber to hear Shorten introduce his private member’s bill. Shorten emphasised that the bill would send a powerful message of inclusion, but would not compel any minister of religion to conduct a particular marriage. |
| “I have not made a habit of speaking publicly about my faith, and I do not seek to preach to others today,” Shorten said. | “I have not made a habit of speaking publicly about my faith, and I do not seek to preach to others today,” Shorten said. |
| “I do believe in God and I do believe in marriage equality. For me, there is nothing contradictory about extending love, compassion, charity and respect beyond heterosexual Australia. I understand, that for many people of different faiths, this is a complex question, I respect this. It is why I support a free vote.” | “I do believe in God and I do believe in marriage equality. For me, there is nothing contradictory about extending love, compassion, charity and respect beyond heterosexual Australia. I understand, that for many people of different faiths, this is a complex question, I respect this. It is why I support a free vote.” |
| Labor MPs are overwhelmingly in favour of the change but it is not clear whether it would pass the lower house even if Coalition MPs were granted a free vote. | Labor MPs are overwhelmingly in favour of the change but it is not clear whether it would pass the lower house even if Coalition MPs were granted a free vote. |
| Australian Marriage Equality, a group that has been lobbying MPs to support the change, said the result in the lower house would be close. | Australian Marriage Equality, a group that has been lobbying MPs to support the change, said the result in the lower house would be close. |
| Rodney Croome, the national director of AME, said same-sex couples and their families were excited about the bill’s introduction “because today we can see finally the light at the end of the marriage equality tunnel”. | Rodney Croome, the national director of AME, said same-sex couples and their families were excited about the bill’s introduction “because today we can see finally the light at the end of the marriage equality tunnel”. |
| Croome said momentum for change was unstoppable. He called on Abbott to use a Coalition meeting on Tuesday to either grant a free vote or allow members to co-sign Shorten’s bill. | Croome said momentum for change was unstoppable. He called on Abbott to use a Coalition meeting on Tuesday to either grant a free vote or allow members to co-sign Shorten’s bill. |
| AME is seeking to marshal community support for a Coalition conscience vote, including through a website form that allows people to send a message to their representatives about their views. | AME is seeking to marshal community support for a Coalition conscience vote, including through a website form that allows people to send a message to their representatives about their views. |
| Croome said advocates would ensure the issued stayed “front and centre in Australian public debate” during the winter parliamentary break, which was likely to include further declarations of support from companies. | Croome said advocates would ensure the issued stayed “front and centre in Australian public debate” during the winter parliamentary break, which was likely to include further declarations of support from companies. |
| Another advocate, Shelley Argent, called on the government to “get serious” because families were tired of procrastination. Argent said she wanted her gay son to have the right to marry the person he loved. | Another advocate, Shelley Argent, called on the government to “get serious” because families were tired of procrastination. Argent said she wanted her gay son to have the right to marry the person he loved. |
| Peter Catt, president of the Progressive Christian Voice Australia group, said MPs should consider that many people of faith supported marriage equality. | Peter Catt, president of the Progressive Christian Voice Australia group, said MPs should consider that many people of faith supported marriage equality. |
| But the Australian Christian Lobby, a long-time opponent of same-sex marriage, raised concerns the bill’s exemption for ministers of religion to exercise their conscience did not extend to civil celebrants or to florists, bakers and other small business owners providing wedding services. | But the Australian Christian Lobby, a long-time opponent of same-sex marriage, raised concerns the bill’s exemption for ministers of religion to exercise their conscience did not extend to civil celebrants or to florists, bakers and other small business owners providing wedding services. |
| The ACL’s managing director, Lyle Shelton, pointed to anti-discrimination cases launched by advocates in other countries that had legalised same-sex marriage. | The ACL’s managing director, Lyle Shelton, pointed to anti-discrimination cases launched by advocates in other countries that had legalised same-sex marriage. |
| Shelton said redefining marriage would also lead to “increased demand for surrogacy and other forms of assisted reproductive technology from same-sex partners wanting children”. | Shelton said redefining marriage would also lead to “increased demand for surrogacy and other forms of assisted reproductive technology from same-sex partners wanting children”. |
| “People are free to love whoever they like,” Shelton said. | “People are free to love whoever they like,” Shelton said. |
| “The reason that marriage is a legal contract is it provides an incentive, an educative effect that says that as a society we value the idea that a mother and a father should have some responsibility and have some sort of tie to their children … That’s a bond that we should not deliberately sever through government policy.” | “The reason that marriage is a legal contract is it provides an incentive, an educative effect that says that as a society we value the idea that a mother and a father should have some responsibility and have some sort of tie to their children … That’s a bond that we should not deliberately sever through government policy.” |
| The Greens, which had previously sought support for their own marriage equality bill, said the aim was to achieve legislation co-sponsored by all sides of politics. | The Greens, which had previously sought support for their own marriage equality bill, said the aim was to achieve legislation co-sponsored by all sides of politics. |
| The leader of the Greens, Richard Di Natale, praised Labor for “getting on board” but said Shorten’s bill was likely to be symbolic because it was not expected to proceed to a vote in the lower house. But Di Natale suggested the move was likely to spur further progress on cross-party efforts. | The leader of the Greens, Richard Di Natale, praised Labor for “getting on board” but said Shorten’s bill was likely to be symbolic because it was not expected to proceed to a vote in the lower house. But Di Natale suggested the move was likely to spur further progress on cross-party efforts. |
| “If we can get a bill that is co-sponsored by all sides of politics, we’re as good as done. We can end discrimination and that will be a good thing for the nation,” Di Natale said. | “If we can get a bill that is co-sponsored by all sides of politics, we’re as good as done. We can end discrimination and that will be a good thing for the nation,” Di Natale said. |
| “We can for a rare moment in this parliament come together, have a moment of unity and do something that is profoundly important in the lives of many, many Australians.” | “We can for a rare moment in this parliament come together, have a moment of unity and do something that is profoundly important in the lives of many, many Australians.” |