Gay marriage conscience vote

[mellie]

In August 2009, a same-sex marriage bill was introduced by a member of the Australian Greens who pleaded with the government to take into mind that the majority of Australians support same-sex marriage and thereby pass such legislation. The bill was reviewed by the Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee. The largest protests for same-sex marriage in the nation's history took place in eight cities on 1 August, with an estimated 8,000 people attending. The Committee reported not to vote the bill. On 25 February 2010, the Marriage Equality Bill 2009 did not pass in the Australian Senate by a vote of 45-5, with only the Greens voting in favour and many senators not in attendance. However, the Greens have announced their intention to reintroduce a bill to legalise same-sex marriage sometime after 21 August 2010 federal election.

-Wiki




So basically, the Greens want it, and the only chance they stood at getting this bill passed was to assume power over a majority of the senate post-election 2010 in order to achieve their objective.


See, the Australian community at large, and their opinions/views simply don't count Skip, because ready or not, here they come to shove down our throats what would have not been given a second look-in had they not purchased their way into the senate with preferences last election.

Like I said, funny how attitudes change over night, and suddenly after the Greens wield the balance of power in the senate.

Heres a tip skip- Dont believe everything you read in polls. OK.

Because in this particular political environment, these polls reflect only what our current government want them and our media to reflect, right or wrong.

[mellie]

Just because Bob Brown wants to die an honest man (Be legally wed) doesn't mean the rest of the Australian community is ready for this bill.

If anything, the Greens are discriminating against the rest of the nations right to vote on this contentious issue as individuals, and for some reason or another, doesn't think our feeling on the subject matters, or is any of our business.

Are you of the same view Skip?

Most undemocratic!

Gillard has spring greened her cabinet , installed those she knows are pro-gay marriage with a view to delivering on her pre-election 2010 green preference deal promise, or else, the Greens might tell Australia exactly what her agenda was right from go.

[skippy]

Are you of the same view Skip?

Yea, unlike you I agree with the majority of Australians, thmellie. But you are obviously in the 37 % minority, some things never change.

Australians back gay marriage - poll November 22, 2010
.AAP

Most Australians support gay marriage, the latest Nielsen poll shows.

The poll, published on Monday in Fairfax newspapers, found nearly 60 per cent of people support same-sex marriage, with 37 per cent against.

[mellie]

In August 2009, a same-sex marriage bill was introduced by a member of the Australian Greens who pleaded with the government to take into mind that the majority of Australians support same-sex marriage and thereby pass such legislation. The bill was reviewed by the Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee. The largest protests for same-sex marriage in the nation's history took place in eight cities on 1 August, with an estimated 8,000 people attending. The Committee reported not to vote the bill. On 25 February 2010, the Marriage Equality Bill 2009 did not pass in the Australian Senate by a vote of 45-5, with only the Greens voting in favour and many senators not in attendance. However, the Greens have announced their intention to reintroduce a bill to legalise same-sex marriage sometime after 21 August 2010 federal election.

-Wiki

A majority you say? as in 45-5 not-the-Greens way feb 2010 before Gillard struck a preference deal with Bob Brown the opportunistic go-getter who is still yet to answer to corruption allegations (Re- political campaign donations & bribes) early next year in parliament?

Really Skip, you cant be serious.

Tell us, how does a nations MP's attitudes to the gay marriage change virtually over night, and only after the Greens wielded the balance of power in the senate in exchange for grubby ALP preference votes?

It's purchased power, and far from democratic.

Lol, talk about shoddy, this and cutting out the middle man, our nations people, the voting public.

Does a minority government that's playing hostage to an ultra Green senate (for the time being) reflect the social values and attitudes of a nations entire people Skip?

Again, this is discrimination at it's best, so much for equality.

This bill should go to referendum or be junked.

End of story.

And anyone who thinks otherwise is a fool, (be they for or against gay marriage) this and is consenting to an autocratic ultra left 'red-centred' government which is fast becoming a globally organised dictatorship after having stifled and censored our local press.

This really isn't about being for or against gay marriage Skip, as much as it's about this government behaving undemocratically and forcing policy upon a nation of misinformed people who have not a clue what's really happening here.
If you think they will stop at passing this gay marriage bill, think again.

Pretty soon, you wont even be able to respond on a message board like this if they have their way.

Is this what you want Skip?

To be left here talking to yourself reinforcing your own bad decisions?

Look, noone blames you for being deceived once...

Like the saying goes, fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice, shame on me...

Sorry Skip, ignorance is not bliss...it's downright socially and politically irresponsible in this instance.

I really wish you could see reason Skip, because I think you will be among those most devastated by the actions of this unscrupulous government if this goes really bad.

And I think it will if left to their own devices in the absence of public scrutiny and media consult.

[skippy]

A majority you say?

Yep, last time I checked 60 % support to 37% against was indeed a majority, thmellie.Only a moron would dispute that, oh thats right, a moron is.

Australians back gay marriage - poll November 22, 2010
.AAP

Most Australians support gay marriage, the latest Nielsen poll shows.

The poll, published on Monday in Fairfax newspapers, found nearly 60 per cent of people support same-sex marriage, with 37 per cent against

[mellie]

So you believe these Green -via- GetUp! purchased poll findings are an accurate and balanced depiction of the Australian voting public Skip?

These cherry-picked polls are as biased as our media is at present, this and cannot speak on behalf of every Australian.

Again, on contentious issues such as this, the public should cast their vote, the UK are going through the same thing, only their people aren't as apathetic as us, this and are demanding a referendum.

You need to start thinking outside the intellectual humpie you live in.

In taking away the public's right to cast their own 'private' vote on this issue, we are effectively saying, "Let the government, the powers that be, and it's well-paid cherry-picked members decide contentious issues for us."

Again, are you ok with this Skippy?

Should we be allowing opinion polls decide policy as contentious as this?

Or should this be left for the public to decide?

[mellie]

Labor MP calls for gay marriage referendum
27 July 2011 | 05:24:43 PM | Source: AAP

Labor backbencher John Murphy has called for a referendum on the issue and for MPs to have a conscience vote on any legislation.

The western Sydney MP says he does not believe there is overwhelming public support for same-sex marriage despite proponents' claims.

"I believe, overwhelmingly, the people of Australia will tell all those who are elected to represent them that allowing (gay and lesbian) people to get married under the Marriage Act is a step too far," he told ABC Radio.

http://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/1573 ... referendum


Even Labors own MP's realise the polls are rigged.

So I'm not alone Skip.

Have they bribed/silenced him too, because he seems to have disappeared off the radar since he went public with his and fellow Labor back-bencher's concerns.

[Neferti]

Who cares? Really?

I am a Reformed Agnostic. I don't have any Homosexual friends ... I do dislike the use of the word Gay, it should be spelled Ghey or something so that it is not misinterpreted with people being gleeful, jovial, glad, joyous, happy, cheerful, sprightly, blithe, airy, light-hearted; vivacious, frolicsome, sportive, hilarious ..... to those people who prefer "same sex" encounters.

Somebody else said it ...... marriage for Homosexuals would indicate that, according to the Bible, homosexuality is "normal". Where is the line drawn? Should everyone be able to marry (in a church) who they want? What if Monk wants to marry Demi? Should that be allowed?

[mellie]

Immediately...

Greens opposed a same-sex marriage referendum, insisted it was a far too expensive exercise, though what's the harm in waiting until the next federal election?

No, the 'red' faction of the Greens are living on borrowed time, and know if it's not forced through now by cherry picked MP's (front and back bencher's) who have just received a massive pay increase, the voting public will make this decision for them at the ballot boxes and not in their favour.

So it's now or never....and they know it, which is why they don't want to wait until the next federal election to propose this contentious Act.


http://www.starobserver.com.au/news/201 ... um-2/57906

[mellie]

Nerf, it comes down to the public being denied the right to vote on contentious issues, be it gay marriage or carbon-tax.. this government clearly lacks the desire to consult the public on many issues it seems.

Like you say, where will they draw the line?

They wont!



Pollsters figures mean more to this government when it comes to policy direction than 'actual' peoples votes it seems.

So rather than hold an 'expensive' election, how about we let Nielson and APT, Roy Morgan, Galaxy etc decide who we the stifled public think should lead our nation.

News polls should only be used as a guide when predicting policy direction, out-comes, public opinion and trends, and even then, a degree of scrutiny should be applied.
Polls should not be used by a radical minority government to determine contentious social policy decisions when changing legislation or amending Acts which should be decided by the voting public, not a majority of suck-holes within a minority government and cherry picked cabinet prone to taking bribes and who might fear being ousted/ostracised by their party if they go against their party's grain when casting their vote of conscience.

It's divisive, undemocratic and socially irresponsible to force this contentious issue into the laps of those who would rather not vote themselves...though feel they have to go with their party's official stance to keep their jobs.