Media Release
Monday June 26th 2017
PRAISE FOR DEAN SMITH'S CALL FOR AUGUST FREE VOTE ON MARRIAGE EQUALITY
Equality advocates have praised Liberal Senator, Dean Smith, for saying August is the right time for the Government to ditch its commitment to a marriage equality plebiscite and have a free vote in Parliament instead.
Senator Smith made the call in an interview with the Huffington post published today.
Just.equal spokesperson, Rodney Croome, said,
"I congratulate Senator Smith for saying what millions of Australians are thinking, the Government needs to ditch the plebiscite idea and pass marriage equality asap."
"Having a parliamentary free vote on marriage equality is not only the right thing to do but also the smart thing, given polls showing the Government could lose office it fails to pass marriage equality before the election."
Mr Croome said a cross-party marriage equality bill introduced by Liberal MP, Warren Entsch, in 2015 provides the best model for marriage equality.
"The Entsch bill struck the right balance between allowing marriage equality, and protecting the beliefs of ministers of religion without creating new forms of anti-LGBTI discrimination."
For the Huffington post interview, click here
For polling showing the Government could lose office if it does not allow a free vote on marriage equality, click here
For more information contact Rodney Croome on 0409 010 668.
