Senate debates

Wednesday, 11 November 2015

Motions

Marriage Equality

3:57 pm

Photo of Robert SimmsRobert Simms (SA, Australian Greens) Share this | | Hansard source

I move:

That the Senate—

(a) notes that the Legal and Constitutional Affairs References Committee has found that:

(i) the Parliament has the authority to amend the Marriage Act 1961 without recourse to a plebiscite or referendum,

(ii) a plebiscite has the potential to facilitate and justify homophobic and transphobic hate speech, and

(iii) a plebiscite would cost an estimated $158.4 million if held outside of a general election; and

(b) calls on the Prime Minister (Mr Turnbull) to allow a free vote on marriage equality before the end of 2015.

Question agreed to.