The Greens are disappointed that the old parties have ganged up to stop a vote on the Greens’ marriage equality Bill in the lower house, but they will continue to push for equality in the Senate.
The selection committee last night decided not to refer Adam Bandt’s marriage equality Bill to a vote next week, instead allocating time for only four more speakers on the Bill.
“The old parties are trying to stop us from standing up for gay and lesbian Australians, but we will never give up the fight,” the Greens LGBTI spokesperson, Senator Sarah Hanson-Young said.
“The Greens have a Bill in the Senate that would see same-sex marriages from overseas recognised in Australia and I plan to move that Bill to a vote in the final sitting fortnight, just weeks from today.
“This small step towards equality is something all parties should be able to agree on and I will be urging MPs on both sides to support it.
“Thousands of same-sex Australian couples are planning to wed in Canada, France or New Zealand but this government is making them leave their certificates at the customs gate when they return home.
“The Greens care for all Australians, regardless of their sexuality.
“Julia Gillard and Tony Abbott are becoming increasingly isolated as beacons of inequality and, while they may not want to admit it, it’s clear to the public that they are on the wrong side of history,” she said.
“Labor and the Coalition have broken the hearts of tens of thousands of Australians by blocking a vote on marriage equality next week,” the Greens Deputy Leader Adam Bandt said today.
“Voters deserve to know where every MP stands before the election. This would have been an opportunity to do that.
“Despite Labor and Coalition trying to get it off the table, marriage equality will be a big election issue.
“Julia Gillard and Tony Abbott have let this opportunity go by and history will pass them by too.”
Media Contact: Noah Schultz-Byard 0427 604 760 (Sarah Hanson-Young)
Damien Lawson 0487 900 005 (Adam Bandt)