House debates
Tuesday, 15 August 2017
Statements by Members
Marriage
1:42 pm
Gai Brodtmann (Canberra, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Defence) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source
Labor has always said that the easiest, fastest, cheapest and least divisive way to deliver marriage equality is through a free vote in parliament. All 25 or so changes to the Marriage Act have been made by the parliament, so why is marriage equality any different? Unfortunately, thanks to this divided, dysfunctional government we are now faced with a $122 million non-binding postal survey on marriage equality, which is just a fabulous outcome for the Prime Minister. Despite Labor's concern about this non-binding postal survey, we have been encouraging people to sign up, to enrol to vote by 24 August. But like so much of what this government touches, this has not been easy.
We have been hampered by a lack of information, a lack of detail and a lack of clarity. My office has been inundated with questions from Canberrans asking: if people are overseas, can they vote early? How do people get a postal vote sent overseas if they're travelling, particularly if they're not staying in one place? What happens to people registered as silent voters? How does the information get given to the ABS? Do I need to register to receive the postal vote?
I encourage Canberrans to get on the AEC website to find out how to enrol to vote and to check if you are enrolled to vote and to change your details. The survey is not ideal, but Canberrans: get out there and enrol to vote. (Time expired)
1:43 pm
Tim Wilson (Goldstein, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source
I rise to encourage young Australians in the Goldstein electorate to enrol so that they can participate in their government's postal survey on marriage for same-sex couples. My view on this issue is unambiguous. I have always supported a change in the law, and now you get the opportunity to have your say. If you are not currently enrolled or you are not enrolled at your current address make sure you update your details at www.aec.gov.au.
This decision is your decision and, ultimately, you have to make a choice about the direction of this country. This is an opportunity, for the first time, generationally, to make our country and our Commonwealth a better place, where every Australian grows up with a sense of dignity and purpose in their lives and is treated equally before the law. But if you don't have your say because you're not enrolled, you have to fix it before 24 August. You can do so by simply going to www.aec.gov.au. If you need assistance, don't hesitate to contact the Goldstein electorate office: the number is (03)95574644. I encourage you to participate. You won't regret it.