Tanya Plibersek (Sydney, Australian Labor Party, Deputy Leader of the Opposition) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I just want to take a moment today to talk directly to same-sex attracted young people, to gay and lesbian teenagers, about the decision that the Liberal and National parties made last night. It may be that you feel very disappointed. It may be that you feel very let down. It may be that you feel that you have been treated by this parliament as second-class citizens. I want to say to you today that that is not true. There are many people in this place to defend your rights and to stand up for you.

I also want to say to the children who have two mums or two dads that your families are just fine. We are proud of you. We are determined to ensure that your mums and your dads will be able to be married in the same way that the kids who you go to school with have parents who are married.

I know it was a very disappointing decision for many last night, but the fight for marriage equality is not over. The fight for marriage equality will continue, not just in this parliament but beyond this parliament in the broader community, because we know that there are many Australians—gay, straight or whatever—who do not support discrimination against any group in our community. Discrimination based on age, racial background or gender is completely unacceptable for any law-abiding citizen. The idea that one group in our community will be discriminated against simply based on their gender— (Time expired)