RSS Feed
June 19th, 2013 
DLP Senator John Madigan wants to outlaw gay marriage in the Constitution.
Source: Supplied
THE two extremes of the same-sex marriage debate are set to collide in the Senate, with a new call for marriage to be defined in the constitution as between a man and woman.
The move by Victorian DLP Senator John Madigan for a referendum on the divisive issue comes as the Greens try to have overseas same-sex unions finally recognised in Australia.
Senator Madigan will officially notify the Senate tomorrow that he will introduce legislation next week that would bring about a public vote.
It will coincide will debate and a vote on the Greens legislation, which has also been set down for Thursday.
Senator Madigan said the change would confirm the definition of marriage as between “one man and one woman” and was a chance for the people to have their say on the contentious issue.
He said the will of parliamentarians did not necessarily reflect the will of the people.
“The definition of marriage is something that cannot be left to the whim of the parliament,” he said.
“Marriage is a cornerstone of human society predating any religious or political system.
“If we can have referendums on things like local government, we deserve to have a referendum on officially defining this institution in our constitution.
“I believe that this is the issue that every Australian should have a vote on, this is why I am calling for a referendum.”
Meanwhile, Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young said the majority of Australians wanted to see equity in the marriage debate.
Commenting on Greens laws that would recognise all same-sex marriages in Australia, she said: “Love is love, it doesn’t discriminate depending on which country you’re in and neither should we.”
“It’s time for the equality opponents in Australia to step aside and let us get on with this inevitable reform.
“Currently same-sex couples from Australia who go overseas to wed have to leave their marriages at the customs gate when they return home to Australia and that just isn’t right.”
Follow Jessica Marszalek on twitter: @JessMarie_News
###
Source Article from http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/newscomauthenationndm/~3/_EXw5gEu2lc/story01.htm
Views: 0
Posted in 
