ANY chance of a vote on gay marriage this year has disappeared after a powerful committee effectively forced it off the parliamentary diary.
Here’s two of them.
Labor and Coalition members of the legislative selection committee have left no room for the marriage equality bill which the Greens’ Adam Bandt wanted put to a House of Representatives vote on June 6.
“Labor and the Coalition have broken the hearts of tens of thousands of Australians by blocking a vote on marriage equality next week,” said Mr Bandt, the deputy Greens leader. “Voters deserve to know where every MP stands before the election. This would have been an opportunity to do that.”
News.com.au rang nearly every MP who voted against gay marriage last time to figure out who was sitting on the fence on the issue. If you want same-sex marriage on the agenda before the Federal Election, these are the people who you need to talk to.
THE SWING SEAT SWINGERS:
YOU may not have heard of Michelle Rowland, but she represents one of the most electorally vital seats in the country. She’s the member for Greenway, in Western Sydney – in the kill zone at the next election.
And she sounded particularly on the hedge when news.com.au called. “I think it would only be proper to gauge the views of my constituents, to really open it up again and ask people what they think. Particularly in light of things changing overseas.” Gauge away, Ms Rowland.
She is joined by Parramatta MP Julie Owens, who gave news.com.au a particularly vague response through a spokesman: “She wants to examine closely what is put before the House and would expect at least a free vote on the issue.”
THE ‘GUTLESS’ HORDE:
MANY senior MPs, particularly in the Labor Party, are understood by gay marriage advocates to privately support same-sex marriage. But they won’t go on the record supporting it. “I know for a fact that there are MPs in both major parties who privately support marriage equality but are not prepared to vote for it,” says Rodney Croome, the head of the Australians for Marriage Equality group.
Leading doctor and gay rights activist Dr Kerryn Phelps say there’s just one word for this kind of behaviour. “It’s gutless. They’re playing with people’s lives.”
JOEL FITZGIBBON:
Early last week this key Rudd powerbroker started making some noise on same-sex marriage. He told morning television program Sunrise that even though he voted against it last time, he was “open to changing his mind”. Don’t worry. If he’s your local MP, he will consider considering it. Considerately.
THE WESTERN SYDNEY CREW:
THEY represent nearby seats and they have similar reasons for opposing the bill: Labor MPs Ed Husic (Chifley) and Chris Bowen (McMahon).
They say that their communities are not in favour of it. And both MPs represent particularly diverse areas and are concerned that locals are conservative on the issue.
But their views may be a tad more ambiguous. A spokesman for Mr Husic said: “Ed is not personally opposed to same-sex marriage. (But) the mood’s not there for changes to the Marriage Act in his electorate”. Thing is, moods change.
TONY ABBOTT AND THE LIBERAL ONE-THIRD:
GAY marriage advocates believe as many as one-third of the federal Liberal Party would vote in favour of gay marriage. But they would not be allowed to vote for it because Tony Abbott would not have allowed a conscience vote.
Liberals publicly in support include NSW MP Malcolm Turnbull, Victorian MP Kelly O’Dwyer, and the youngest MP in Parliament, Wyatt Roy, 23.
Then there are the Liberals who are sitting right on the top of the fence. Theresa Gambaro is the Liberal MP for the inner city seat of Brisbane. She debates stuff and listens to her constituents for a living.
When we asked her for her views on gay marriage, she replied that… drum roll… she would “expect it to be debated like any other matter” and would consult her constituents. No kidding, Theresa. You’ve got one job.
Other swing potential votes for the issue include Victorian Liberal Josh Frydenberg and Alex Hawke from NSW.
THE SILENT ONES:
HELLO? Hello? The list of Labor MPs who managed to avoid, or refused, to comment on our headcount is extensive. They include: Dick Adams (Tasmania), Martin Ferguson (Victoria), Bernie Ripoll (Queensland), Anthony Byrne (Victoria) and Michael Danby (Victoria).
Anna Burke is the Speaker of the House, meaning she does not generally have to vote. But she is still a Labor MP and has gone to extreme lengths to remain silent on same-sex marriage. We called her office, sent her multiple emails, but got no response. Luckily for her, she might be able to keep silent.
CONTACT YOUR LOCAL MEMBER:
Send them an email. It’s as easy as inserting your MP’s first name and surname into the following address: Firstname.Lastname.MP@aph.gov.au. You can call your local MP on 02 6277 7111.
AUTHOR: Daniel Piotrowski
PUBLICATION: news.com.au
DATE: May 28 2013