25th Feb 2010, 4:05 PM – Senate Marriage Equality Amendment Bill 2009 - Second Reading - Read a second time

The majority voted against a motion to read the bill for a second time.

This means that the majority of senators reject the main idea of the bill, which is to allow marriage regardless of sex, sexuality and gender identity

Someone who voted Aye supports the main idea of the bill. Since the majority voted No, the bill will not considered any further.

Debate in Parliament

Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young introduced the bill as a private member's bill. She argued that the bill would remove “the discrimination that currently exists within the Marriage Act”.

Both the Labor Government and the Coalition Opposition opposed this bill, arguing that the current marriage law was not discriminatory.

Background to the Bill

The Marriage Equality Amendment Bill 2009 was introduced at a time when Australian states and territories are establishing relationship registration and civil partnership schemes for same-sex couples. At the time of this division, such schemes have been established in Victoria, Tasmania, the Australian Capital Territory and New South Wales. However, Senator Hanson-Young argues that these schemes are insufficient and “fall short of equal legal recognition”.