7th Feb 2013, 12:22 PM – Senate Motions - UK Marriage Equality Legislation - Congratulate UK PM
Summary
EditThe majority voted against a motion to congratulate the UK Prime Minister David Cameron "for his leadership in passing historic marriage equality legislation through the House of Commons".
Despite the motion's wording, the UK same-sex marriage legislation is actually still being considered by the House of Commons. But a large majority did recently vote in favour of the main idea of the bill (that is, they voted to read it for a second time).
Greens Party Senator Sarah Hanson-Young introduced the motion.
Background to the motion
The Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill 2013 (UK) was introduced into the House of Commons by the UK Government on 24 January 2013. Its purpose is to legalise same-sex marriage in England and Wales.
Although same-sex couples in the United Kingdom can already have their relationships recognised as a civil partnership, they cannot legally marry.
In Australia, same-sex marriage is illegal but there have been several recent attempts to pass legislation to legalise it.
Votes Not passed by a modest majority
Nobody rebelled against their party.
| Party | Votes | |
|---|---|---|
| Australian Greens (100% turnout) | 9 Yes – 0 No | |
| Richard Di Natale Victoria | Yes | |
| Sarah Hanson-Young SA | Yes | |
| Scott Ludlam WA | Yes | |
| Christine Milne Tasmania | Yes | |
| Lee Rhiannon NSW | Yes | |
| Rachel Siewert WA | Yes | |
| Larissa Waters Queensland | Yes | |
| Peter Whish-Wilson Tasmania | Yes | |
| Penny Wright SA | Yes | |
| Australian Labor Party (60% turnout) | 0 Yes – 18 No | |
| Catryna Bilyk Tasmania | No | |
| Doug Cameron NSW | No | |
| Jacinta Collins Victoria | No | |
| Chris Evans WA | No | |
| Don Farrell SA | No | |
| David Feeney Victoria | No | |
| Mark Furner Queensland | No | |
| Alex Gallacher SA | No | |
| Joe Ludwig Queensland | No | |
| Kate Lundy ACT | No | |
| Anne McEwen SA | No | |
| Jan McLucas Queensland | No | |
| Claire Moore Queensland | No | |
| Helen Polley Tasmania | No | |
| Lisa Singh Tasmania | No | |
| Glenn Sterle WA | No | |
| Matt Thistlethwaite NSW | No | |
| Anne Urquhart Tasmania | No | |
| Mark Bishop WA | Absent | |
| Carol Brown Tasmania | Absent | |
| Bob Carr NSW | Absent | |
| Kim Carr Victoria | Absent | |
| Stephen Conroy Victoria | Absent | |
| Trish Crossin NT | Absent | |
| John Faulkner NSW | Absent | |
| Gavin Marshall Victoria | Absent | |
| Louise Pratt WA | Absent | |
| Ursula Stephens NSW | Absent | |
| Lin Thorp Tasmania | Absent | |
| Penny Wong SA | Absent | |
| Nigel Scullion NT Country Liberal Party | Absent | |
| John Madigan Victoria Democratic Labor Party | No | |
| Stephen Parry Tasmania Deputy President | No | |
| Nick Xenophon SA Independent | Absent | |
| Liberal Party (33% turnout) | 0 Yes – 9 No | |
| Christopher Back WA | No | |
| Cory Bernardi SA | No | |
| Michaelia Cash WA | No | |
| David Fawcett SA | No | |
| Mitch Fifield Victoria | No | |
| Helen Kroger Victoria | No | |
| Marise Payne NSW | No | |
| Anne Ruston SA | No | |
| Dean Smith WA | No | |
| Eric Abetz Tasmania | Absent | |
| Simon Birmingham SA | Absent | |
| Sue Boyce Queensland | Absent | |
| George Brandis Queensland | Absent | |
| David Bushby Tasmania | Absent | |
| Richard Colbeck Tasmania | Absent | |
| Mathias Cormann WA | Absent | |
| Sean Edwards SA | Absent | |
| Alan Eggleston WA | Absent | |
| Concetta Fierravanti-Wells NSW | Absent | |
| Bill Heffernan NSW | Absent | |
| Gary Humphries ACT | Absent | |
| David Johnston WA | Absent | |
| Ian Macdonald Queensland | Absent | |
| Brett Mason Queensland | Absent | |
| Michael Ronaldson Victoria | Absent | |
| Scott Ryan Victoria | Absent | |
| Arthur Sinodinos NSW | Absent | |
| National Party (40% turnout) | 0 Yes – 2 No | |
| Bridget McKenzie Victoria | No | |
| John Williams NSW | No | |
| Ron Boswell Queensland | Absent | |
| Barnaby Joyce Queensland | Absent | |
| Fiona Nash NSW | Absent | |
| John Hogg Queensland President | No | |
| Totals (54% turnout) | 9 Yes – 32 No |
Turnout is the percentage of members eligible to vote that did vote.