A PUSH for a referendum on gay marriage looks set to fail after both major political parties yesterday rejected calls to gauge national opinion over the controversial issue on election day.
Prime Minister Julia Gillard and Opposition leader Tony Abbot yesterday said they wouldn’t back calls by independent Tony Windsor, the Greens and crossbenchers for a plebiscite on same sex marriage.
There is a growing international movement towards marriage equality, with New Zealand and France this month becoming the 13th and 14th countries to recognise same sex unions.
In Australia, NSW Premier Barry O’Farrell last week said the coalition should allow a conscience vote and yesterday Reverend Fred Nile added his support to the call for a referendum.
The Federal Government is reportedly expected to announce in coming days a referendum on local government, and Mr Windsor said he wanted to add a question over gay marriage.
Prime Minister Gillard would not comment on the mooted local government referendum and said Mr Abbott should instead call for a conscience vote on gay marriage.
“The most appropriate way for the Government to consider such an amendment is through a conscience vote in Parliament, since any change to allow same-sex marriage would occur by amending the Marriage Act, not the Constitution,” a spokesperson for the Prime Minister said.
“In any event, a referendum question would first need to pass Parliament because Australia does not have a mechanism for citizen-initiated referendums.
Further legislative change would then be required in the case of a “yes” vote – with the Parliament free not to follow the result.
Mr Abbott said a referendum would threaten to overtake the election process.
“As far as is humanly possible, I think the coming election should be uncomplicated by other matters. I think that the government and now the independents will want to muddy the waters with other things,” Mr Abbott said.
“The election in September should be a referendum on the carbon tax; it should be a referendum on the current government. Do you really want three more years of this? That’s what the election will be all about. Do the people of Australia, do you really want three more years of this?”
Author:Sarah Blake
Publication: News Limited
Publication date: April 29 2013