Australia: Liberal conscience vote on same-sex marriage bill ‘highly likely’
It is “highly likely” that MPs from Australia’s governing Liberal party will be allowed a free vote on an upcoming same-sex marriage bill for the first time.
According to lone Liberal Democrat MP David Leyonhjelm, who first announced he would introduced a same-sex marriage bill last month, it is “highly likely” the government will allow MPs a free vote on the issue.
Senator Leyonhjelm told the Sydney Morning Herald that he has sped up the process, while he previously only planned to introduce the bill after a conscience vote was secured.
He said: “I have heard from Liberal senators that a conscience vote is highly likely.”
Despite 72% of Australians supporting marriage equality, with just 21% opposed, Liberal Prime Minister Tony Abbott remains staunchly opposed.
However, one Liberal MP told the newspaper: “I don’t think even Tony Abbott will stand up in the party room and argue against a conscience vote. It would appear to go against Liberal principles. I don’t think you would find any of my colleagues who would say a conscience vote was a bad idea.”
Leyonhjelm, who is newly-elected, added: “If it doesn’t get through I have six years to poke them. At some point they will see I am not going to give up on this.”
MyPinkNews members are invited to comment on articles to discuss the content we publish, or debate issues more generally. Please familiarise yourself with our community guidelines to ensure that our community remains a safe and inclusive space for all.
Report this comment
Please let us know why you would like to report this comment:
The ability to comment will be removed from anyone who does not follow our Terms & Conditions