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| Cross-party same-sex marriage bill to be introduced in August | |
| (about 4 hours later) | |
| The Abbott government’s supporters and opponents of same-sex marriage are gearing up for a potential party room discussion about a free vote after the winter parliamentary recess, with a cross-party bill set to be introduced in August. | The Abbott government’s supporters and opponents of same-sex marriage are gearing up for a potential party room discussion about a free vote after the winter parliamentary recess, with a cross-party bill set to be introduced in August. |
| But the prime minister, Tony Abbott, played down the prospect of substantial progress, saying it was rare for private members’ bills to proceed to a vote in parliament. | But the prime minister, Tony Abbott, played down the prospect of substantial progress, saying it was rare for private members’ bills to proceed to a vote in parliament. |
| Sky News reported a marriage equality bill backed by MPs from all sides of politics would be introduced into Australia’s House of Representatives on 11 August, the first sitting week after the US supreme court declared same-sex marriage legal across America. | Sky News reported a marriage equality bill backed by MPs from all sides of politics would be introduced into Australia’s House of Representatives on 11 August, the first sitting week after the US supreme court declared same-sex marriage legal across America. |
| The bill could pave the way for the Liberal party room to discuss the issue on 18 August and decide on whether to allow its MPs to vote freely on the legislation in line with their conscience. The dates reported by Sky News are consistent with the timeframe that supporters have previously flagged but party sources said the dates were not locked in. | The bill could pave the way for the Liberal party room to discuss the issue on 18 August and decide on whether to allow its MPs to vote freely on the legislation in line with their conscience. The dates reported by Sky News are consistent with the timeframe that supporters have previously flagged but party sources said the dates were not locked in. |
| Conservative elements will push for the party to stay firm in its opposition to same-sex marriage, saying cabinet ministers and frontbenchers should resign from their positions if they want to take a different view. | Conservative elements will push for the party to stay firm in its opposition to same-sex marriage, saying cabinet ministers and frontbenchers should resign from their positions if they want to take a different view. |
| It has previously been unclear whether the decision on a free vote would be made by the Liberal party room or a joint meeting of the Coalition parties, including the Nationals. | It has previously been unclear whether the decision on a free vote would be made by the Liberal party room or a joint meeting of the Coalition parties, including the Nationals. |
| The bill is to be backed by Liberal MPs Warren Entsch and Teresa Gambaro, with support from several backbench Labor MPs, the Greens MP Adam Bandt, and two independents, Cathy McGowan and Andrew Wilkie, the Sky News report said. | The bill is to be backed by Liberal MPs Warren Entsch and Teresa Gambaro, with support from several backbench Labor MPs, the Greens MP Adam Bandt, and two independents, Cathy McGowan and Andrew Wilkie, the Sky News report said. |
| Guardian Australia understands the MPs were involved in talks during the final sitting fortnight of parliament before the winter recess. | Guardian Australia understands the MPs were involved in talks during the final sitting fortnight of parliament before the winter recess. |
| The growing global momentum for same-sex marriage – fuelled by decisions in Ireland and the US – could make it harder for Abbott to oppose a free vote. | The growing global momentum for same-sex marriage – fuelled by decisions in Ireland and the US – could make it harder for Abbott to oppose a free vote. |
| Abbott, a longstanding opponent of change, has previously said the whole parliament should “own” any decision on changing the Marriage Act, which defines marriage as being between a man and a woman. | Abbott, a longstanding opponent of change, has previously said the whole parliament should “own” any decision on changing the Marriage Act, which defines marriage as being between a man and a woman. |
| The prime minister’s office reacted to the developments on Wednesday by emphasising that it was not normal for private members’ bills to proceed to a vote – a criterion for triggering a Coalition party room discussion. | The prime minister’s office reacted to the developments on Wednesday by emphasising that it was not normal for private members’ bills to proceed to a vote – a criterion for triggering a Coalition party room discussion. |
| “Any member can introduce a private members’ bill into the parliament but they do not come before the joint party room for discussion unless they will be voted on in the parliament,” Abbott’s spokeswoman said on Wednesday. | “Any member can introduce a private members’ bill into the parliament but they do not come before the joint party room for discussion unless they will be voted on in the parliament,” Abbott’s spokeswoman said on Wednesday. |
| “It is rare for a private members’ bill to be voted on and any bill would be subject to the usual process. The prime minister’s position remains the same as it has always been and he supports the current policy that marriage is between a man and a woman. The government’s priority is strong economic management and keeping Australians safe.” | “It is rare for a private members’ bill to be voted on and any bill would be subject to the usual process. The prime minister’s position remains the same as it has always been and he supports the current policy that marriage is between a man and a woman. The government’s priority is strong economic management and keeping Australians safe.” |
| Parliament’s selection committee – chaired by the Speaker, Bronwyn Bishop – is responsible for deciding the timing and order of debate on private members’ bills. The committee includes government and opposition MPs, but the Coalition has a majority. | Parliament’s selection committee – chaired by the Speaker, Bronwyn Bishop – is responsible for deciding the timing and order of debate on private members’ bills. The committee includes government and opposition MPs, but the Coalition has a majority. |
| The NSW Liberal senator Arthur Sinodinos, who supports a free vote, told Sky News the cross-party efforts were significant because “it’s finally bringing the issue to a head”. | The NSW Liberal senator Arthur Sinodinos, who supports a free vote, told Sky News the cross-party efforts were significant because “it’s finally bringing the issue to a head”. |
| Sinodinos said the US supreme court decision had “no doubt added further momentum” to the push for same-sex marriage. | Sinodinos said the US supreme court decision had “no doubt added further momentum” to the push for same-sex marriage. |
| “At some stage it will come up in the Liberal party room and we will have to make a decision about how we handle the bill,” he said. | “At some stage it will come up in the Liberal party room and we will have to make a decision about how we handle the bill,” he said. |
| The Labor MP Terri Butler confirmed she was actively involved in the cross-party push. | The Labor MP Terri Butler confirmed she was actively involved in the cross-party push. |
| Related: Guardian Australia survey of MPs shows same-sex marriage not a done deal | Related: Guardian Australia survey of MPs shows same-sex marriage not a done deal |
| “During the last sitting of parliament I signed a document stating my intention to second a bill for marriage equality,” she said. | “During the last sitting of parliament I signed a document stating my intention to second a bill for marriage equality,” she said. |
| Gambaro also confirmed she intended to co-sponsor the bill, saying marriage was “fundamentally an expression of love and should not be an issue that divides us”. She said the issue must “be dealt with carefully, responsibly and in a respectful manner” and noted that it was yet to come before the party room or the parliament.” These processes must be followed if this issue is to be accorded the respect it deserves,” Gambaro said. | Gambaro also confirmed she intended to co-sponsor the bill, saying marriage was “fundamentally an expression of love and should not be an issue that divides us”. She said the issue must “be dealt with carefully, responsibly and in a respectful manner” and noted that it was yet to come before the party room or the parliament.” These processes must be followed if this issue is to be accorded the respect it deserves,” Gambaro said. |
| Entsch, who has been spearheading the cross-party push but is currently overseas, said he wanted the issue to be “debated in the parliament, not through the media”. | Entsch, who has been spearheading the cross-party push but is currently overseas, said he wanted the issue to be “debated in the parliament, not through the media”. |
| Entsch’s office said the north Queensland-based MP had long argued that “if there is to be any chance of success, this issue needs to be approached in a careful, considered and respectful manner”. | Entsch’s office said the north Queensland-based MP had long argued that “if there is to be any chance of success, this issue needs to be approached in a careful, considered and respectful manner”. |
| “He will not compromise this by prematurely running a debate in the media,” Entsch’s spokesman said. | “He will not compromise this by prematurely running a debate in the media,” Entsch’s spokesman said. |
| “If the media wants to see this bill be successful, they should respect that decision. He has previously outlined the intention to move on this in the spring sittings, and nothing has changed.” | “If the media wants to see this bill be successful, they should respect that decision. He has previously outlined the intention to move on this in the spring sittings, and nothing has changed.” |
| The Labor leader, Bill Shorten, who has introduced his own bill on marriage equality, said he welcomed the sign of progress. | The Labor leader, Bill Shorten, who has introduced his own bill on marriage equality, said he welcomed the sign of progress. |
| “I hope it means Tony Abbott will finally grant Liberal MPs a free vote on the legislation,” he said. | “I hope it means Tony Abbott will finally grant Liberal MPs a free vote on the legislation,” he said. |
| “As I’ve consistently said, it’s the outcome that is important here, not whose name is on the bill. Like millions of Australians, my first and only hope here is that we can make marriage equality a reality.” | “As I’ve consistently said, it’s the outcome that is important here, not whose name is on the bill. Like millions of Australians, my first and only hope here is that we can make marriage equality a reality.” |
| South Australian Liberal senator Cory Bernardi, who is one of the most outspoken opponents of changing the Marriage Act and of a free vote, said the party should hold firm in its “longstanding policy position”. | South Australian Liberal senator Cory Bernardi, who is one of the most outspoken opponents of changing the Marriage Act and of a free vote, said the party should hold firm in its “longstanding policy position”. |
| “It would be most unusual to change that position as a result of a private members’ bill. Private members’ bills are usually not discussed in the party room, particularly where they don’t reflect the Liberal party’s long-standing policy position,” Bernardi said. | “It would be most unusual to change that position as a result of a private members’ bill. Private members’ bills are usually not discussed in the party room, particularly where they don’t reflect the Liberal party’s long-standing policy position,” Bernardi said. |
| “If we have a free vote on one of our longest-standing policy positions, then it’s legitimate to say there should be a free vote on every single policy position including 18C [of the Racial Discrimination Act], industrial relations reform, constitutional recognition of Indigenous people, and anything else you care to put.” | “If we have a free vote on one of our longest-standing policy positions, then it’s legitimate to say there should be a free vote on every single policy position including 18C [of the Racial Discrimination Act], industrial relations reform, constitutional recognition of Indigenous people, and anything else you care to put.” |
| Bernardi said he would expect every minister to uphold the policy position the party had adopted. He said if frontbenchers wanted to advocate against existing policy “they are free to resign and do so from the backbench”. | Bernardi said he would expect every minister to uphold the policy position the party had adopted. He said if frontbenchers wanted to advocate against existing policy “they are free to resign and do so from the backbench”. |
| Several ministers and assistant ministers – including Malcolm Turnbull, Simon Birmingham, Josh Frydenberg and Kelly O’Dwyer – have publicly supported same-sex marriage. | Several ministers and assistant ministers – including Malcolm Turnbull, Simon Birmingham, Josh Frydenberg and Kelly O’Dwyer – have publicly supported same-sex marriage. |
| The Greens said they had been involved “in productive talks with colleagues across the political spectrum and it’s clear that support for marriage equality across the parliament is growing”. | The Greens said they had been involved “in productive talks with colleagues across the political spectrum and it’s clear that support for marriage equality across the parliament is growing”. |
| Greens senator Janet Rice said people from all sides were working together so they could achieve a result this year. | Greens senator Janet Rice said people from all sides were working together so they could achieve a result this year. |
| “As the Greens have been saying, this is going to require co-operation from all sides,” she said. | “As the Greens have been saying, this is going to require co-operation from all sides,” she said. |
| “Greens senators and our member for Melbourne, Adam Bandt, will continue working cooperatively across the parliament to progress this long-overdue reform. | “Greens senators and our member for Melbourne, Adam Bandt, will continue working cooperatively across the parliament to progress this long-overdue reform. |
| “It is time that the parliament caught up with the public and just got on with it.” | “It is time that the parliament caught up with the public and just got on with it.” |