Marriage equality advocates have hailed Dean Smith and Wyatt Roy as heroes for vowing to vote for marriage equality and have called on the Government to allow a vote on the cross-party bill to be introduced Monday.
On Tuesday the Coalition party-room voted 2 to 1 to bind all members to vote against marriage equality but Liberal backbenchers are conventionally free to cross the floor and vote against party policy.
Australian Marriage Equality national director, Rodney Croome, said,
“Dean Smith and Wyatt Roy are heroes, not only to the millions of Australians who believe in marriage equality, but to the many Coalition voters and members who believe in freedom of conscience.”
“We urge the Government to allow a vote on the cross-party marriage equality bill, and we urge other Coalition members who believe in marriage equality to follow the lead of true Liberals like Dean Smith and Wyatt Roy.”
“Every civil rights movement in history has moved forward thanks to individuals with the courage to stand up for their beliefs.”
Mr Croome dismissed calls for a referendum on marriage equality from some government ministers saying it would be unnecessary.
“The is no need to have a referendum because outstanding constitutional questions were settled by the High Court in 2013.”
“There is no need to complicate a reform that can be achieved by a simple, straightforward amendment to the Marriage Act.”
For more information contact Rodney Croome on 0409 010 668.
Author: Rodney Croome
Publication: AME Media Release
Date: 13 August 2015