A bill to legalise same-sex marriage in South Australia will be sabotaged by the state’s Labor government in an attempt to wedge the Liberal Party, gay rights advocates say.
The government will force the bill to a vote today despite it not having the numbers to succeed. Labor is split on the issue, while the Liberals are opposing the bill on the grounds that a state jurisdiction cannot legislate marriage, which is governed by federal laws.
The Liberal Party has said it will revise its position to allow a conscience vote depending on the findings of a NSW parliamentary committee, which is expected tomorrow.
The Greens, who are co-sponsoring the bill in the upper house, and Australians for Marriage Equality are calling on Premier Jay Weatherill to delay the vote in anticipation of the NSW committee’s report.
Australians for Marriage Equality national director Rodney Croome accused the government of wrecking the bill’s chances of success.
“My message to Mr Weatherill is that it’s not enough to support marriage equality,” he said. “To achieve this reform it’s also necessary to show real leadership by putting politics to one side and building a cross-party coalition for change.
“The majority of South Australians who support marriage equality want their politicians to work together to achieve what will be a landmark reform, not just for same-sex couples and their families, but for the state.
“The vote should be delayed until the NSW inquiry into the constitutionality of state same-sex marriage laws is handed down, providing South Australian MPs, from all parties, with all the information they need to make a fully informed decision.”
Greens MP Tammy Franks accused Mr Weatherill of sabotaging the bill by forcing it to a vote as early as today.
“It kills the bill because the Labor Party doesn’t have the numbers, and the Liberal Party don’t yet have a conscience vote and want to wait for the NSW committee report,” she said.
“Weatherill is putting his personal ambition and his personal electoral priorities above achieving marriage equality.
“I would urge Premier Weatherill to hold off voting on the bill this week — it is only fair that we have the full information from constitutional experts before we take it to a vote.”
Liberal Opposition Leader Steven Marshall said his partyroom would allow a conscience vote on the issue if the NSW inquiry found states had a right to legislate marriage.
Author: Sarah Martin
Publication: The Australian
Date: 25 July 2013