Australian parliament votes against same-sex 'marriage'
The Australian Parliament has this week rejected a bill that proposed to legalise same-sex 'marriage' in a 98 to 42 vote.
Conscientious objection
Labour MPs were permitted to vote against the bill on the basis of their beliefs, with PM Julia Gillard and Liberal opposition leader Tony Abbott being among those to oppose it.
Final
The leader of the Australian Christian Lobby, Jim Wallace, said that the Parliament had now given its final decision on the issue:
"Everyone has had enough of this debate," he said.
"It has been one of the most vitrolic campaigns I have ever seen and its has demonised so many good people out of the public square, such as Victoria's chief psychologist Kuravilla George, who lost his job as a member of Victoria's Equal Opportunity Commission because he supported marriage."
Inevitable
But Labor Senator Penny Wong commented that despite the outcome, the legalisation of same-sex ‘marriage’ was an inevitable change:
“Social change in this country often isn't won the first time round, sometimes not even the second time round", she said.
“But I think the aspiration for equality and what same sex couples in this country are saying -- which is that we want to be treated equally -- is a very persistent campaign... and not one that will end with this vote”.
Labour MP Anthony Albanese, who also supported the bill, said: “I think at some future time our parliament will catch up with community opinion, just as it has on other issues. When marriage equality occurs, people will wonder what the fuss was about”.
Comment
Andrea Minichiello Williams, CEO of Christian Concern, said:
“We are delighted with this result. The Australian Prime Minister has stood firm on this issue and set a strong example for leaders around the world.
“Will David Cameron show the same courage for the sake of marriage and the family in this nation?”
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