John Madigan (Victoria, Democratic Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I move:

That the following matter be referred to the Legal and Constitutional Affairs References Committee for inquiry and report by 25 March 2014:

The form of a referendum on an amendment to the Constitution confirming that all powers pertaining to making laws for marriage rest with the Commonwealth and that those powers may only be used to confirm marriage to be the union of a man and a woman to the exclusion of all others, voluntarily entered into for life, with particular reference to:

(a) what question should be put to the electors;

(b) any effect of the alteration on the Parliament's powers under section 51(xxi) of the Constitution;

(c) the level of state and territory support;

(d) the potential ramifications for states and territories if such an amendment was made; and

(e) any other matters that the committee considers may be relevant to a decision on whether to conduct a referendum, and the timing of any referendum.

Question negatived.

Stephen Parry (Tasmania, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I only hear one voice—I am sorry, Senator Madigan—so there cannot be a division. Senator Madigan, do you want your name recorded as voting for that motion?

John Madigan (Victoria, Democratic Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Yes.

Stephen Parry (Tasmania, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

It is so recorded.

Claire Moore (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Women) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

by leave—Mr Deputy President, in that last vote the opposition were supporting Senator Madigan, and we did vote in favour of that motion.

Stephen Parry (Tasmania, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I know, but the numbers were against you because the Greens were voting with the government. There was no division called, and you supported Senator Madigan.

Sarah Hanson-Young (SA, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Can I just clarify that the Labor Party just voted with Senator Madigan on that motion? That is what I would like clarification about.

Stephen Parry (Tasmania, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Yes.

Sarah Hanson-Young (SA, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Wow!

Stephen Parry (Tasmania, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

On the voices.