All changes made to the description and title of this
division.
View division
|
Edit description
| Change |
Division |
|
representatives vote 2016-10-20#5
Edited by
mackay staff
on
2016-10-21 20:29:59
|
Title
Bills — Plebiscite (Same-Sex Marriage) Bill 2016; Third Reading- Plebiscite (Same-Sex Marriage) Bill 2016 - Third Reading - Pass the bill
Description
<p class="speaker">Christopher Pyne</p><p>I move:</p><p class="italic">That this bill be now read a third time.</p>- The majority [voted to pass](http://www.openaustralia.org.au/debates/?id=2016-10-20.29.1) the [bill](http://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/search/display/display.w3p;query=Id:legislation/billhome/r5728) through the House of Representatives, which means it will now be sent to the Senate for our Senators to decide whether they agree that it should become law.
- In parliamentary jargon, our Members of Parliament (MPs) voted to give the bill a [third reading](http://www.peo.gov.au/learning/fact-sheets/making-a-law.html).
- ### What does this bill do?
- The [purpose of this bill](http://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Bills_Legislation/bd/bd1617a/17bd022) is to make it possible for the government to hold a national plebiscite to ask Australians *"Should the law be changed to allow same-sex couples to marry?"*
- ### What is a national plebiscite?
- The [bills digest](http://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Bills_Legislation/bd/bd1617a/17bd022) explains that:
- > *a national plebiscite is a vote by citizens on any subject of national significance but which does not affect the Constitution. Plebiscites are normally advisory and do not compel a government to act on the outcome. There have only been three national plebiscites—two on conscription during World War I (both defeated) and one on the choice of a National Song in 1977.*
- ### Why don't some supporters of marriage equality support this bill?
- [Several parties and independents](http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-08-29/same-sex-marriage-plebiscite-explainer/7794070) oppose this bill for two main reasons: cost and concern that a plebiscite could [harm members of the LGBTI community](http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-10-12/same-sex-marriage-debate's-impact-on-lgbti-people/7924480).
- ### So, what next?
- The bill will be sent to the Senate. However, since the Labor Party has agreed to vote against it alongside the Greens, the Nick Xenophon Team and Derryn Hinch, [it will not pass](http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-10-11/same-sex-marriage-labor-to-block-plebiscite-legislation/7921472) and so will not become law.
- ABC News gives a neat summary of the situation and [what may happen next](http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-10-11/same-sex-marriage-where-to-from-here/7921908).
<p class="speaker">Brendan O'Connor</p><p>Mr Speaker, I am being deprived of my right to speak on this bill.</p> <p class="speaker">Tony Smith</p><p>The member for Gorton will resume his seat.</p> <p class="speaker">Brendan O'Connor</p><p>I am being denied the right to speak—</p> <p class="speaker">Tony Smith</p><p>The member for Gorton will resume his seat. The question is this bill be now read a third time.</p>
|