Australian lawmakers to vote on same-sex marriage

Australian Parliament will soon get another chance to vote on same-sex marriage, one that would impact the entire country. Reports state that it’s likely the voting will come to pass as a conscience vote (a vote which allows lawmakers to vote with their conscience instead of being constricted to their party’s stance on the subject matter. Read more about conscience voting here.)

Liberal Democratic Party Senator David Leyonhjelm was asked to introduce his bill regarding same-sex marriage so that it might be reviewed throughout August and September. Leyonhjelm has previously stated that he would not introduce the bill until the ability to have a conscience vote had been enacted.

Rodney Croome, the national director of Australian Marriage Equality, is hopeful that a conscience vote will highlight some unlikely supporters from the conservative side of parliament who haven’t yet been able to declare open support for same-sex marriage.

“It’s impossible to say if marriage equality would pass right now because too many MPs have yet to declare their hand,” said Croome.

‘But the Australian public is definitely ready for this reform and we are working with supporters across the country to win over the hearts and minds of MPs and Senators.
‘We are determined to ensure the numbers are there before there is a vote on Senator Leyonhjlem’s bill, or any other bill.’

Recent Australian polls show 72% of the population supports same-sex marriage.