SAME-SEX MARRIAGE – AUSTRALIA

Abbott mulls referendum

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Original article by Phillip Coorey
The Australian Financial Review – Page: 1 : 13-Aug-15

Prime Minister Tony Abbott is considering a referendum on gay marriage, an option also backed by Social Services Minister Scott Morrison. Despite backbench fears that a referendum would scupper the chances of reforming the Marriage Act, Abbott and his supporters are discussing taking the issue to the electorate, possibly in late 2016.

CORPORATES
AUSTRALIA. DEPT OF THE PRIME MINISTER AND CABINET, AUSTRALIA. DEPT OF SOCIAL SERVICES, AUSTRALIA. DEPT OF COMMUNICATIONS, AUSTRALIA. DEPT OF THE TREASURY, AUSTRALIAN CHRISTIAN LOBBY, AUSTRALIAN LABOR PARTY

Gay marriage rocks PM

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Original article by Phillip Coorey, Laura Tingle
The Australian Financial Review – Page: 1&8 : 12-Aug-15

A special meeting of Coalition MPs and senators, held on 11 August 2015, was devoted to the divisive issue of gay marriage. The proposal to introduce same-sex marriage through legislative changes was defeated by 66 votes to 33. Prime Minster Tony Abbott said the issue will be considered again in the next term of Parliament. His preferred option is a referendum which would allow the public to decide on gay marriage.

CORPORATES
AUSTRALIAN LABOR PARTY, AUSTRALIA. DEPT OF COMMUNICATIONS, AUSTRALIA. DEPT OF THE PRIME MINISTER AND CABINET, LIBERAL PARTY OF AUSTRALIA, NATIONAL PARTY OF AUSTRALIA

Support for gay marriage grows but interest wanes

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Original article by Phillip Coorey
The Australian Financial Review – Page: 5 : 31-Jul-15

JWS Research has found that 54 per cent of Australian electors now support same-sex marriage, which represents a nine per cent increase since the last federal election. The research, which is based on quantitative polling and focus groups, also found that women and electors in the 18-34 age group are most in favour of gay marriage. However, the focus groups also show that many Australians do not regard the issue as a key priority.

CORPORATES
JWS RESEARCH PTY LTD, AUSTRALIA. DEPT OF THE PRIME MINISTER AND CABINET, AUSTRALIAN LABOR PARTY, AUSTRALIAN CHRISTIAN LOBBY

Shorten loss on gay marriage

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Original article by Phillip Coorey
The Australian Financial Review – Page: 1 & 6 : 27-Jul-15

The Australian Labor Party’s National Conference has endorsed the policy of Opposition Leader Bill Shorten to turn back asylum-seeker boats. Meanwhile, conference delegates have voted in favour of giving Labor MPs a conscience vote on the issue of same-sex marriage, although this will be limited to the current and next term of parliament. Shorten has committed to legalising same-sex marriage within 100 days if Labor wins the next federal election. Labor’s policy on a renewable energy target and an emissions trading scheme were also endorsed.

CORPORATES
AUSTRALIAN LABOR PARTY, AUSTRALIA. DEPT OF THE PRIME MINISTER AND CABINET, NATIONAL UNION OF WORKERS, LIBERAL PARTY OF AUSTRALIA, AUSTRALIAN GREENS, AUSTRALIA. DEPT OF IMMIGRATION AND BORDER PROTECTION

Abbott hints at conscience vote on gay marriage

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Original article by Phillip Coorey
The Australian Financial Review – Page: 3 : 28-May-15

Prime Minister Tony Abbott says Liberal Party MPs will be granted a conscience vote on the issue of same-sex marriage. Abbott opposes same-sex marriage, but is open to a party-room vote on the issue. This follows a move by Opposition Leader Bill Shorten to pursue a private members’ bill on gay marriage. However, Abbott says the Coalition wants to postpone any debate on gay marriage until the next session of Parliament, so it can focus on 2015 Budget policies.

CORPORATES
AUSTRALIA. DEPT OF THE PRIME MINISTER AND CABINET, LIBERAL PARTY OF AUSTRALIA, AUSTRALIAN LABOR PARTY, AUSTRALIA. DEPT OF THE TREASURY

Abbott faces another Senate revolt over same-sex marriage bill

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Original article by Judith Ireland, Latika Bourke
The Sydney Morning Herald – Page: 6 : 2-Dec-14

A bill put forward by Liberal Democratic Party Senator David Leyonhjelm revises the Marriage Act to recognise same-sex, transgender and intersex unions. Leyonhjelm says that if proper debate is not permitted on the bill, he may follow newly-independent Senator Jacqui Lambie and vote against Australian Government legislation. Prime Minister Tony Abbott appears to have backed away from his election pledge to permit a Liberal Party conscience vote on same-sex marriage, to which he is opposed

CORPORATES
AUSTRALIA. DEPT OF THE PRIME MINISTER AND CABINET, LIBERAL DEMOCRATIC PARTY, LIBERAL PARTY OF AUSTRALIA