The Australian parliament is set to have a free vote on the issue of marriage equality after Liberal Democratic Party Senator David Leyonhjelm stated he will be making his second-reading speech on his “freedom to marry” bill next Thursday.
The bill was introduced last November, but Leyonhjelm has yet to make the second-reading speech, which is set to trigger a parliamentary debate on the bill.
“It is just the beginning of the debate”. Leyonhjelm said, according to the Sydney Morning Herald.
Leyonhjelm has stated that he hopes the Prime Minister will allow his party room a conscience vote on the issue.
“Today I ask the Prime Minister to allow his colleagues to join in the debate. The first hurdle for marriage equality in Australia is for the coalition to allow a conscience vote. I think the right term actually is a free vote, not a conscience vote.
“My hope is that by commencing this debate, a conscience vote will be allowed. This will necessitate Mr Abbott not standing in its way.”
Senator Leyonhjelm said the Liberal Party should use their next party meeting next Tuesday to discuss a free vote.
“The time has come for the Prime Minister to reveal whether the word ‘liberal’ actually means anything to him or it’s just a brand name like Datsun or Krispy Kreme,” Senator Leyonhjelm said.
“I support marriage equality because I believe people should have the freedom to choose their own life path.”
The timing of Leyonhjelm’s decision is part of increasing pressure on the Prime Minister to address the issue. Earlier this week Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young called on Tony Abbott to allow a conscience vote on marriage equality. She put forth a motion which read:
“That the Senate agrees that all members of Parliament and senators should be granted a conscience vote on the issue of equal marriage in Australia.”
Australian Marriage Equality deputy director Ivan Hinton-Teoh welcomed Leyonhjelm’s decision to speak on the issue.
We welcome Senator Leyonhjelm’s initiative because Australia can’t wait any longer for marriage equality,’ AME deputy director Ivan Hinton-Teoh said.
“The smart thing for Tony Abbott to do is honor his pre-election promise to allow the Coalition party room to decide on a free vote so marriage equality can move forward.”
“It’s deeply embarrassing for many Australians that same-sex couples can marry in countries across the western world, including in places like Alabama, but not here in Australia.”
