THE HON MARK DREYFUS QC MP
SHADOW ATTORNEY-GENERAL
SHADOW MINISTER FOR NATIONAL SECURITY
MEMBER FOR ISAACS
TERRI BUTLER MP
SHADOW ASSISTANT MINISTER FOR PREVENTING FAMILY VIOLENCE
SHADOW ASSISTANT MINISTER FOR UNIVERSITIES
SHADOW ASSISTANT MINISTER FOR EQUALITY
MEMBER FOR GRIFFITH
MYEFO CONFIRMS: LABOR'S POLICY IS THE ONLY PATH TO MARRIAGE EQUALITY
Today, just days after Malcolm Turnbull declared the wasteful, hurtful $300 million plebiscite on marriage equality is still the Government's policy, it has been killed off in MYEFO.
Under the heading Same-sex marriage plebiscite not proceeding, MYEFO declares the budgeted fund for the vote will be returned to government coffers.
That is despite Mr Turnbull promising four days ago, that:
"The party's position, the Coalition's position is that the issue should be determined by a plebiscite and that policy remains."
Huffington Post, 15 December 2016
Once again Mr Turnbull's weakness is on full display. He has been rolled by his Treasurer and the extreme right who never want to see marriage equality in Australia.
With the plebiscite dead, buried and cremated, there is now only one path to marriage equality available in the current Parliament a free vote.
There are a number of bills sitting in the Parliament that could make marriage equality a reality on the first day of Parliament sitting in the new year, if Mr Turnbull truly wanted it to happen. And it could happen at no cost.
The way is now clear for a free vote on marriage equality.
The only question is will Malcolm Turnbull continue to put his own survival above equality for millions of Australians?
MONDAY, 19 DECEMBER 2016
