The Labor leader is set to introduce a bill legalising same sex marriage into Australia’s federal parliament on Monday.
Australian Opposition leader Bill Shorten has given notice that he will move a private member’s bill on Monday, seconded by his deputy Tanya Plibersek.
Shorten said he understood his bill “will not have the universal support of my colleagues” and would “challenge the deeply held personal beliefs of MPs and senators on both sides of politics”.
For the bill to have a chance of passing, Prime Minister Tony Abbott would have to allow his Coalition members a free vote, something he has previously ruled out.
Shorten’s move which comes after Greens senator Sarah Hanson Young brought forward Senate debate on her marriage equality private member’s bill and will increase pressure on the Coalition to have a party room discussion on the issue of a conscience vote.
Shorten said he believed “the time has well and truly come for the parliament to debate marriage equality”.
“Our current law excludes some individuals … it says to them, your relationships are not equally valued by the state, your love is less equal under the law.”
“The world isn’t waiting for Tony Abbott and our parliament shouldn’t have to,” he said.
Article | Levi Joule.
