Victorian Senator John Madigan is calling for the Australian constitution to be changed to ensure that marriage equality can not be voted in by parliament.
Senator Madigan argues that the Howard governments 2004 amendment to the marriage act that defined marriage as solely between ‘a man and a woman’ did not got far enough and that the restriction should be included within the constitution.
Speaking to news.com Senator Madigan said, “The definition of marriage is something that cannot be left to the whim of the parliament.”. The Senator is calling for a national referendum on the issue.
Senator Madigan is a member of the Democratic Labor Party and is a social conservative. The Senator has previously outlined his opposition to gay marriage.
The proposal has been criticised from both sides of politics. Labor Senator Penny Wong said in parliament that she disagreed with the Senators proposal to put his definition of marriage, ”upon me and upon others in my situation . . . who wish to demonstrate through ceremony their love and commitment to their partner”. Liberal senator Sue Boyce called the suggestion ‘disgusting and immoral’.
The Australian Christian Lobby has announced their support for a referendum. Acting Managing Director Nick Overton said a circuit breaker was needed to deal with the issue.
“Despite the Australian Parliament’s resounding rejection of redefining marriage last September, proponents continue to use parliamentary time to debate the issue,” he said.
“While this is their right in a democracy, it seems clear that the best way forward is to let the people decide and end the fatigue the electorate feels about this issue,” said Mr Overton.
Graeme Watson
