SENATOR CAROL BROWN

SHADOW PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY FOR FAMILIES

AND PAYMENTS
LABOR SENATOR FOR TASMANIA

NO NEED FOR PLEBISCITE ON MARRIAGE EQUALITY

Todays comments by ultra conservative Senator Eric Abetz, on the planned

plebiscite on marriage equality prove that the $160 million plebiscite is wasteful and
an unnecessary obstacle.
A plebiscite on marriage equality is simply a costly, divisive and potentially harmful
delaying technique.
Senator Abetz has contradicted the Prime Minister and admitted that he and other
conservative parliamentary members of the Liberal Party will not accept the result of
a plebiscite.
The issue of marriage equality can, and should be, considered by Parliament.
It is still not too late for Malcolm Turnbull to show some leadership on this issue.
Mr Turnbull must stand up for what he has said he believes in rather than
abandoning his principles for the sake of power.
Senator Abetzs comments prove that the plebiscite option is just a ruse by ultra
conservative MPs to delay a vote on marriage equality, an action supported by
Malcolm Turnbull to appease his conservative colleagues.

It is unacceptable that some elected representatives continue to disregard the broad

community support for this long overdue reform.

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