IT’S DEAD: Plebiscite Killed Off For Good As Labor Successfully Blocks It

 

Ready for a bit o’ good news on this here Tuesdee mornin’? Yeah you are. 

The Labor caucus has blocked the plebiscite, which effectively renders the public vote dead on its feet. 

This means that will not go ahead on February 11 as planned by the Liberal government. 

MPs and Senators met at Parliament earlier today, where Labor, Greens and key cross-benchers voted to block the Coalition‘s bill.

Regardless, the Coalition will likely still introduce the legislation, despite not having the numbers in the Senate. 

Overnight, Attorney-General George Brandis introduced the draft of the ‘Marriage Amendment (Same-Sex Marriage) Bill’, which would be put forward if the plebiscite went ahead and gained a majority ‘Yes’ vote. 

As per the ABC, the amendments to the bill included:

• The definition of marriage would change, from “a man and a woman” to “two people”
• The conditions for a valid marriage would stay the same
• Foreign same-sex marriages would be recognised in Australia
• Ministers of religion would be able to refuse to solemnise a marriage on the grounds that the marriage is not the union of a man and a woman, if that refusal conforms to the doctrines, tenets or beliefs of the minister’s religion
• Marriage celebrants would also be able to refuse to marry a same-sex couple

This isn’t a bill that delivers equality, this is a bill than entrenches discrimination. https://t.co/JEKyoaDtZc

— Bill Shorten (@billshortenmp) October 10, 2016

LGBTQIA activists have been actively campaigning against the expensive plebiscite, due to the fact that the ‘No’ campaign will be harmful to LGBTQIA lives and damaging to mental health. 

Many people have expressed relief that the vote will now not go ahead, and have reiterated their requests for a free vote to happen in Parliament instead:

great news that the @AustralianLabor caucus has decided to oppose the plebiscite on marriage equality #auspol

— Peter Black (@peterjblack) October 10, 2016

It’s official! The ALP has decided to reject the divisive, unnecessary plebiscite! https://t.co/mmd079jobV

— AU Marriage Equality (@AMEquality) October 10, 2016

I’m so happy the plebiscite is dead! #auspol

— Dan (@mckennadt) October 10, 2016

I actually have a spring in my step this morning due to the plebiscite’s destruction. Good work, @AustralianLabor. Sure took your time, eh?

— mark-harambe:newton. (@NewtonMark) October 11, 2016

Me to the Plebiscite pic.twitter.com/n5IclSR9gg

— CASEY CONWAY (@caseyconway_) October 11, 2016

The plebiscite is dead.
Good riddance to bad rubbish. The only damage I need inflicted upon my psyche are wild memories from binge drinking.

— Bad Cook (@brandycooklyn) October 11, 2016

Good news that Labor has indeed blocked the #SSM plebiscite.

Call for a vote on the matter in Parliament now, @billshortenmp .

— Ed Hunter (@EdwardJWHunter) October 10, 2016

Labor commits to blocking marriage equality plebiscite! Now lets have a free vote & get this done. https://t.co/a6mbftZ9wl?

— Gordon Lawrence (@666Tweet) October 10, 2016

THE PLEBISCITE IS DEAD Thank you @AustralianLabor @billshortenmp @SenatorWong it would have been a horrible thing to do #FreeVote is the way

— Daniel Bedford [PB] (@bedford_daniel) October 10, 2016

And some delved into a pretty major reason why it was blocked:

Congratulations to @LyleShelton on his tireless and victorious campaign to demonstrate how unpleasant a plebiscite campaign would have been.

— St Dave of Happy (@HappySinger) October 10, 2016

But regardless, at least that pesky ‘gay agenda’ that Australian Christian Lobby leader Lyle Shelton‘s always going on about can pop down their rainbow battle axes, and rest. Or will they….

the plebiscite is dead. next on the agenda, heterosexuality

— Bec Shaw (@Brocklesnitch) October 10, 2016

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UPDATE

Labor leader Bill Shorten tweets a promise to push for a free vote in Parliament:

Labor wants to achieve marriage equality in the fastest, cheapest, least harmful way possible. That’s why we want a free vote in Parliament. pic.twitter.com/tv4f2F6Frr

— Bill Shorten (@billshortenmp) October 11, 2016

We will deliver more information as it arises.