Criticism over “delaying tactic” for gay marriage in Australia

Following Tuesday’s decision to enforce his party’s opposition to same-sex marriage, Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott has gone one step further, saying any ministers who break ranks will be forced to resign their positions.

“That means that going into the next election, you’ll have the Labor Party which wants it to go to a parliamentary vote and you’ve got the coalition that wants it to go to a people’s vote”, he said.

A number same-sex marriage bills are heading to the Australian Parliament this month – but Abbott – a strong opponent of same-sex marriage – has banned his coalition MPs from voting in favour.

Government MP Warren Entsch, who is expected to bring a private member’s bill calling for gay marriage to parliament on Monday, said he believed a “handful” of coalition politicians would cross the floor to support the bill but conceded it would not have the numbers to succeed.

According to government data, there were about 34,000 same-sex couples in Australia. The Prime Minister, like a cornered alley cat, used every tactic in the book: he scratched, he fought, he stacked his party room with National Party MPs because he knew that he was going to get rolled on this issue.

THE coalition has yet to settle on how, when – or even if – it will put same-sex marriage to a popular vote.

Changing the constitution via a referendum faces a much bigger hurdle than a plebiscite – four states must vote in favour of the change, as well as a national majority.

The outcome of the meeting has effectively killed off the prospect of a successful vote on marriage equality in federal parliament under an Abbott Government.

“Obviously the fact that we are disposed to put it to the people in the next term of parliament shows that we are open to change, but please let’s not underestimate the magnitude of this as a cultural shift”, he said.

Up to three-quarters of all Australians support gay marriage, and Foster said Abbott’s decision to block a free vote was not reflective of the democracy he represents, rather, his own values.

Mr Abbott said the 2030 target was “fairly in the middle of comparable economies”.

The Prime Minister has warned that under his Liberal Party’s policies, any frontbenchers who defy the agreed position will be sacked.

At a late night news conference, Abbott announced what can only be described as a mishmash that he said would be refined before the election.

“Labor will introduce a bill for marriage equality and I am confident if we win the election, there will be sufficient votes in this country to finally remove discrimination against people”.

The Australian Christian Lobby says the matter should be decided by a vote of the people.