Alannah Mactiernan (Perth, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

If we can suspend our disbelief for a moment and assume that the Prime Minister is genuine about wanting to take the issue of marriage equality to the people, why not do it now? We could legislate to make the result of the plebiscite on same-sex marriage binding on this parliament and we could put a vote to the people before the year is out. If this is anything besides another delay tactic or a case of playing partisan politics, the Prime Minister must put this matter to the people now.

While I firmly believe parliament should get on with this and put forward legislation that has overwhelming public support, there could be some positives in a plebiscite held this year. In Ireland we saw the campaign characterised by decency and generosity of spirit, with gay and straight people alike getting behind the push for equality. Ireland's Una Mullally had this to say:

... straight ... people just wanted ... the opportunity to show that they were not prejudiced, that they had no issue with people who were gay having their relationships recognized, that they wanted to live in a country where all citizens are valued equally.

Prime Minister, Australians want this same thing too. Please stop playing games with the lives and loves of the gay community and, one way or another, deal with this matter now.