This MP has compared having a gay marriage referendum to using Survey Monkey
An Australian MP has voiced opposition to a referendum on same-sex marriage, saying if Parliament can’t decide on the issue, the country could be run by Survey Monkey polls.
MP for Northern Tableands Adam Marshall, said coalition MPs should be allowed a free vote on the issue of same-sex marriage.
“What other issues do we send to a plebiscite? How do we make that determination?” Marshall asked.
“We elect MPs to make that decision on behalf of the community and I think it’s our MPs that should be voting on these issues in the Parliament.”
Going on, he joked that if Parliament can’t decide on such issues, Survey Monkey could be used instead.
“If we start taking all of these issues to plebiscites, I just wonder when we made the decision in this country that we’d be making decisions by Survey Monkey.”
Australia’s youngest MP yesterday voiced his intention to defy a lack of a free vote
Prime Minister Tony Abbott earlier this week declared he will sack any ministers who defy him and vote in favour of same-sex marriage.
A number same-sex marriage bills are heading to the Australian Parliament this month – but Abbott – a strong opponent of same-sex marriage – has banned his coalition MPs from voting in favour.
It was confirmed on Tuesday that Abbott’s ruling coalition voted by 66 to 33 in favour of banning coalition MPs from voting for equality – ordering them to follow party line and oppose same-sex marriage.
Labor leader Bill Shorten has slammed Mr Abbott for his position on the issue.
Mr Shorten reacted: “Millions of Australians will have woken up this morning bitterly disappointed with Tony Abbott.”
“The choice in this country is clear – you either have Tony Abbott or you have marriage equality, you can’t have both.”
Following the revelation, Labor MP Tim Watts tossed out his carefully prepared speech to lay into the government.
