HON BILL SHORTEN MP
LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION
MEMBER FOR MARIBYRNONG
HON TANYA PLIBERSEK MP
DEPUTY LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION
SHADOW MINISTER FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND
INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT
MEMBER FOR SYDNEY
HON MARK DREYFUS QC MP
SHADOW ATTORNEY-GENERAL
SHADOW MINISTER FOR THE ARTS
MEMBER FOR ISAACS
TERRI BUTLER MP
SHADOW PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY TO THE
LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION
SHADOW PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY FOR CHILD
SAFETY AND PREVENTION OF FAMILY VIOLENCE
MEMBER FOR GRIFFITH
MALCOLM TURNBULL’S $525 MILLION MARRIAGE EQUALITY PLEBISCITE
A report by Pricewaterhouse Coopers released today, shows Malcolm Turnbull’s unnecessary and divisive plebiscite on marriage equality will cost the Australian economy a staggering $525 million.
The $525 million includes the cost of holding a plebiscite, funding campaigns, the time it takes to vote, and negative impacts on mental health.
That’s $525 million for a divisive plebiscite that some in the Coalition have said they’ll ignore.
That’s $525 million for a divisive plebiscite, when Parliament could just do its job and legislate marriage equality immediately.
That’s $525 million for a divisive plebiscite, where one side of the ‘debate’ will have public license to argue that there’s something wrong with being gay or lesbian, and that same-sex parents are somehow second rate.
Clearly, this is the price Malcolm Turnbull will make all Australians pay for the deal he did with the conservatives in his party to become Prime Minister.
LGBTI Australians, and their families, should not have to wait any longer to have the same rights as every other person in this country.
We can, and should, make marriage equality a reality now.
The only thing standing in the way of marriage equality passing the Parliament this week is Malcolm Turnbull.
MONDAY, 14 MARCH 2016
