Advertisement

Tanya Plibersek Calls For Labor MPs To Vote For Same-Sex Marriage

Tanya Plibersek Calls For Labor MPs To Vote For Same-Sex Marriage
Tanya Plibersek Calls For Labor MPs To Vote For Same-Sex Marriage

Tanya Plibersek. Photo: Getty Images

Tanya Plibersek wants the Labor party to change its stance on same-sex marriage, the Sydney Morning Herald reports.

Currently, though the Labor party nominally supports same-sex marriage, the party doesn’t compel its members to vote in the affirmative in parliament. The deputy leader of the Labor party and shadow foreign minister wants to change this, arguing that it is the obligation of the Labor party to end discrimination in Australia.

“It is a clear question. Do we support legal discrimination against one group in this country? Or do we not?” Plibersek told the Sydney morning Herald.

Plibersek will be taking her campaign to the Labor party’s national conference in July, where she is hoping to gain support from other key Labor MPs. Already, members of Rainbow Labor (the party’s gay and lesbian advocacy group) have thrown their support behind the shadow foreign minister.

If Labor’s stance on same-sex marriage were to change, it would have a powerful impact on the same-sex marriage debate currently raging in parliament. The Sydney Morning Herald suggests that it could even become a key election promise when Australia heads back to the polls on or before January 14, 2017.

marie claire joined the movement for same-sex marriage in Australia in 2012 with our I Do campaign. Celebrities including Rachael Taylor, Jennifer Hawkins and Ruby Rose threw their support behind the campaign, which called for all MPs to vote in favour of reforming the marriage act - even if it meant crossing the party floor.

RELATED:

Jackie Frank: "It's Time To Support Marriage Equality"

Lena Dunham Won't Marry Until Gay Marriage Is Legal

Tiffany & Co Launch Same Sex Engagement Ad