SENATOR LOUISE PRATT
SHADOW ASSISTANT MINISTER FOR FAMILIES AND COMMUNITIES
SENATOR FOR WESTERN AUSTRALIA
TERRI BUTLER MP
SHADOW ASSISTANT MINISTER FOR PREVENTING FAMILY VIOLENCE
SHADOW ASSISTANT MINISTER FOR UNIVERSITIES
SHADOW ASSISTANT MINISTER FOR EQUALITY
MEMBER FOR GRIFFITH
Louise Pratt, Shadow Assistant Minister for Families and Communities, and Terri Butler, Shadow Assistant Minister for Equality, along with members of the cross bench, have announced their intention to establish a Select Committee to inquire into the Turnbull Government’s Draft Marriage Amendment (Same-Sex Marriage) Bill.
Senator Pratt will give notice of the motion in the Senate this afternoon.
Senator Pratt said “We have an obligation to find a way forward on this issue. The majority of Australians, and the majority of Parliamentarians support marriage equality and this is an expression of our intention to find a way forward in this Parliament.”
Now that the plebiscite has been voted down by the Senate, it’s time for Parliament to do its job and legislate for marriage equality with a free vote.
The terms of reference of the inquiry will enable the committee to take a closer look at the Turnbull Government’s exposure draft Marriage Equality bill.
Further Senator Pratt stated "I don't think anybody cares whose bill it is, supporters of marriage equality just want to see this done. This motion is a sign of Labor’s willingness to find that way forward with our colleagues in Parliament, from all parties.”
The Select Committee will consist of four Government Senators and four non-Government Senators, as we are committed to working to achieve consensus on this issue. We will only achieve marriage equality in this parliament if all parties work together to make it happen.
“We have worked hard to ensure that there are even numbers on this committee and that is because we genuinely want all parties to work together to achieve marriage equality,” Ms Butler said.
“Labor is willing to work with all members of Parliament to achieve marriage equality in the least expensive, least harmful and fastest way.” Ms Butler said.
