Government minister appear to be at odds with each other as different time frames for the proposed marriage plebiscite are suggested.
Today Treasurer Scott Morrison, disputed the time frame announced yesterday by the Attorney General George Brandis.
The argument that is being played out in public via media interviews has pitted politicians who are supportive of marriage equality including Senator Brandis, against those, like Mr Morrison, who are opposed.
Yesterday Attorney General George Brandis told SKY News that the plebiscite would be held after the federal election, but before the end of the year. Senator Brandis said he expected the legislation allowing same sex couples to wed would also be passed before the end of 2016.
The announcement from Senator Brandis sparked immediate speculation that the Prime Minister might be considering a July election date.
Within hours the Prime Minister’s Office was disputing the time frame put forward by Senator Brandis, saying the plebiscite would be held “as soon as possible’ after the election.
Now Treasurer Scott Morrison has told radio station 2GB that the government has decided nothing beyond the fact that a plebiscite would be held.
“The details of how it is constructed and the question and all of those sorts of things – that is still detail to be worked through and that will go through the normal cabinet process, including the ultimate timing of these things.” Mr Morrison claimed this morning.
Scott Morrison calls on Australians to be vocal about their opinions on marriage
The Treasurer, who is opposed to marriage equality, said he planned to be a vocal opponent of changing the nation’s marriage laws and encouraged other people to share their opinion.
“I don’t plan to keep my opinion to myself on these issues and I don’t think anyone should – that’s the whole point of having a plebiscite.” Mr Morrison said.
Tasmanian Senator Eric Abetz also confirmed that Liberal MPs were yet to see any details about how and when the plebiscite would be run. Senator Abetz described Senator Brandis’s announcement as “surprising”.
‘These are matters that the party room still has to sort out in some detail,’ Senator Abetz told The Australian.
Greens and Labor: Plebiscite is unnecessary
Shadow Attorney General Mark Dreyfus has responded to the differing time frames put forward by saying coalition ministers need to get on the same page.
“They need to get their stories straight, but most of all, Turnbull should be dropping this wasteful, and very divisive plebiscite,” Mr Dreyfus told ABC radio this morning.
Mr Dreyfus said the Labor party’s position remained the same, arguing that a plebiscite was costly and unnecessary.
“Let parliamentarians do the job we are meant to do which is pass laws, to legislate.” Mr Dreyfus argued.
Yesterday The Greens spokesperson on marriage equality, South Australian Senator Robert Simms said the government’s plebiscite plan had unraveled.
“The confusion continues today with Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and Attorney General George Brandis appearing to take different positions on the plebiscite timeline,” Senator Simms said.
“Mr Turnbull could have used Mardi Gras to pledge to legislate marriage equality. It’s not too late for him to dump the pointless and costly plebiscite. No more excuses, delays and hiding behind stale old policies – the community wants the parliament to get this done.”
Liberal party members angry about Zimmerman and Shorten photograph
The Australian has also reported that party members were angered by photographs of newly elected, and openly gay, MP Trent Zimmerman embracing opposition leader Bill Shorten at the Mardi Gras parade.
A photograph believed to be taken in the staging area of the parade saw the two politicians hugging. Last week Mr Zimmerman delivered his maiden speech and voiced his support for marriage equality, while in interviews he argued that the Safe Schools Coalition anti-bullying program had merit.
Gay Liberal MP Trent Zimmerman embraces Labor leader @billshortenmp at #MardiGras2016 ❤️💛💚💙💜💝 pic.twitter.com/t41yMPkvjT
— Alice Workman (@workmanalice) March 6, 2016
Image: Alice Workman Buzzfeed via Twitter
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