Tell the Government not to spend our tax dollars on plebiscite campaign. Sign the petition:
https://www.megaphone.org.au/p/DontFundACL
Australian Marriage Equality (AME) has today launched a campaign calling on the Federal Government to reject public funding for the ‘Yes’ and ‘No’ campaigns if a plebiscite is imposed upon us.
We call on the Government to ensure no taxpayer money will be given to either side of the campaign, if the Federal Government proceeds with its marriage equality plebiscite”, Australian Marriage Equality National Spokesperson, Shirleene Robinson said.
The Government is currently preparing a cabinet submission on how their proposed plebiscite would work. It is expected that this will include a recommendation on whether to provide taxpayer funds to groups campaigning around this issue.
The personal significance of this was emphasised by Sydney husband and wife Daniel Yarrow and Rebecca Huntley who are parents to three young children and are concerned about what messages their children will be exposed too.
“We are raising our children to believe in equality for all. We don’t want them exposed to potentially harmful advertising messages from the ‘No’ campaign and we definitely don’t want our taxes paying for it”, Rebecca said.
“We care about our community and the society our children are growing up in. We have friends, neighbours and colleagues who are gay and we care about their families.
“We don’t want them to see disrespectful and manipulative tactics used by the ‘No’ campaign and we don’t want our children exposed to it either.
The ‘No’ side are pushing the government to spend an additional $30 million of taxpayer’s money on the ‘for’ and ‘against’ campaigns for marriage equality.
“Australian Marriage Equality is campaigning to ensure that no taxpayer money is allocated to either side of the campaign”, Dr Robinson said.
“We believe any proposed campaign money should be spent on community services, education and healthcare and not on a public debate on equality for every Australian”, Dr Robinson concluded.
Tell Attorney-General George Brandis to confirm the Government will not spend our tax on these campaigns. Sign the petition:
https://www.megaphone.org.au/p/DontFundACL
Pictures attached of Rebecca Huntley and Daniel Yarrow
Media: Clint McGilvray 0413 285 186