The Australian Government’s cabinet has reportedly agreed to hold a plebiscite on 11th February next year around the question of “Should the law be changed to allow same-sex couples to marry”?
The ABC reports that the decision was made in a cabinet meeting on Monday night where it was also decided to fund both the ‘yes’ and ‘no’ campaigns to the tune of $7.5 million.
The matter will now go before Coalition MPs at a party room meeting in Canberra today. It will then have to go before Parliament where it remains uncertain if Labor, whose support remains critical if it’s to pass in the Senate given opposition from the Greens and others, will back such a proposal.
On Monday, both Opposition Leader Bill Shorten and Greens MP Adam Bandt introduced bills in support of same-sex marriage into the House of Representatives.
The Australian Christian Lobby said on Sunday that both the bills failed to protect ordinary Australians from the consequences of the proposed change, with managing director Lyle Shelton stating that while religious celebrants would not be compelled to “violate their conscience” and perform same-sex weddings, non-religious Australians also had freedom of conscience rights which would not be protected.
“People who supply services to the wedding industry should not be fined for exercising their sincerely held beliefs about marriage,” he said.
On Tuesday morning, meanwhile, Mr Shelton welcomed the plans to fund both sides of the campaign but noted that the suggested figure of $7.5 million was on the “low side”.
