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| Same-sex marriage could be debated in recalled parliament, Labor says | Same-sex marriage could be debated in recalled parliament, Labor says |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| The opposition leader, Bill Shorten, has called on prime minister Malcolm Turnbull to use the new session of parliament from 18 April to debate same-sex marriage, saying he would be a “traitor to the cause” if he did not do so. | |
| Shorten told Guardian Australia Turnbull had “run out of excuses to make marriage equality a reality”. | Shorten told Guardian Australia Turnbull had “run out of excuses to make marriage equality a reality”. |
| “Malcolm Turnbull can use the recalled sessions of parliament for a free vote on marriage equality. His delaying tactics aren’t fooling anyone,” he said. | “Malcolm Turnbull can use the recalled sessions of parliament for a free vote on marriage equality. His delaying tactics aren’t fooling anyone,” he said. |
| “If he refuses to do so, it will prove once and for all that he is a traitor to the cause.” | |
| Shorten made his comments ahead of a joint event held by Guardian Australia and Australian Marriage Equality event in Sydney on Thursday, where the Labor leader is speaking alongside Greens leader Richard Di Natale and AME’s national director Rodney Croome. | Shorten made his comments ahead of a joint event held by Guardian Australia and Australian Marriage Equality event in Sydney on Thursday, where the Labor leader is speaking alongside Greens leader Richard Di Natale and AME’s national director Rodney Croome. |
| Turnbull recalled the parliament by starting a new session on 18 April, in order to debate the Australian Building and Construction Commission legislation. The Senate, where the Coalition does not have a majority, may choose to debate other legislation including same-sex marriage. | Turnbull recalled the parliament by starting a new session on 18 April, in order to debate the Australian Building and Construction Commission legislation. The Senate, where the Coalition does not have a majority, may choose to debate other legislation including same-sex marriage. |
| However, Shorten stopped short of promising Labor would use its numbers in the Senate to discuss marriage equality instead of the controversial building watchdog legislation. | However, Shorten stopped short of promising Labor would use its numbers in the Senate to discuss marriage equality instead of the controversial building watchdog legislation. |
| According to reports the government has delayed plans to finalise the details of a same-sex marriage plebiscite before a possible 2 July double-dissolution election, meaning voters at the federal election may not know the scope of exemptions to discrimination legislation or details of public funding. | According to reports the government has delayed plans to finalise the details of a same-sex marriage plebiscite before a possible 2 July double-dissolution election, meaning voters at the federal election may not know the scope of exemptions to discrimination legislation or details of public funding. |
| Croome said: “The failure of the government to reveal details of its proposed marriage equality plebiscite shows what a shambles the whole idea is. | Croome said: “The failure of the government to reveal details of its proposed marriage equality plebiscite shows what a shambles the whole idea is. |
| “Voters deserve an opportunity to see what the proposed plebiscite looks like before election day. There is majority support for marriage equality in both houses of parliament so the issue could be resolved at the next sitting in April. Instead of a costly and divisive plebiscite, all the government needs to do is allow a free vote.” | “Voters deserve an opportunity to see what the proposed plebiscite looks like before election day. There is majority support for marriage equality in both houses of parliament so the issue could be resolved at the next sitting in April. Instead of a costly and divisive plebiscite, all the government needs to do is allow a free vote.” |
| Related: This week in marriage equality: a foretaste of the nasty narrative that will dominate a plebiscite | Rodney Croome | Related: This week in marriage equality: a foretaste of the nasty narrative that will dominate a plebiscite | Rodney Croome |
| Greens marriage equality spokesperson senator Robert Simms told Guardian the party would campaign on same-sex marriage in marginal seats ahead of International Day Against Homophobia on 17 May. He called on the prime minister to have a free vote in parliament and dump the plebiscite. | Greens marriage equality spokesperson senator Robert Simms told Guardian the party would campaign on same-sex marriage in marginal seats ahead of International Day Against Homophobia on 17 May. He called on the prime minister to have a free vote in parliament and dump the plebiscite. |
| “Now that the plebiscite idea has been put off, it does allow more pressure on the government. I don’t think it’s popular with the Australian people or within the government itself,” Simms said | “Now that the plebiscite idea has been put off, it does allow more pressure on the government. I don’t think it’s popular with the Australian people or within the government itself,” Simms said |
| “You have people like Eric Abetz saying they won’t respect the result of a plebiscite so opponents of marriage equality don’t support it, and proponents of marriage equality don’t either.” | “You have people like Eric Abetz saying they won’t respect the result of a plebiscite so opponents of marriage equality don’t support it, and proponents of marriage equality don’t either.” |
| Shorten said Labor does not want to see taxpayer funds going towards funding hate campaigns against marriage equality. | Shorten said Labor does not want to see taxpayer funds going towards funding hate campaigns against marriage equality. |
| “If Malcolm Turnbull is too weak to confront the right of his party, Labor will have the parliament vote within 100 days of being elected.” | “If Malcolm Turnbull is too weak to confront the right of his party, Labor will have the parliament vote within 100 days of being elected.” |