FEDERAL Member for Bendigo Lisa Chesters says the time has come for Prime Minister Tony Abbott to gave Parliamentarians a free vote on marriage equality.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The comment comes after Opposition Leader Bill Shorten announced he would introduce a private member bill into Parliament next Monday to change the Marriage Act to allow same-sex marriage.
The bold move, which follows the historic yes vote in favour of marriage equality in the socially conservative Republic of Ireland last weekend, was signed off by shadow cabinet on Monday.
"I know this private member's bill will not have the universal support of my colleagues," Mr Shorten said.
"It will challenge the deeply held personal beliefs of MPs and senators on both sides of politics [but] I believe the time has well and truly come for the Parliament to debate marriage equality.
"Our current law excludes some individuals, and to me, that is unacceptable."
Ms Chesters said she strongly supported the move by Mr Shorten.
"Not just because for me personally you shouldn't discriminate against two people who love each other but in the Bendigo electorate an overwhelming number of constituents agree with me," she said.
"It's time to end the discrimination. It doesn't matter if it's a school group or older resident, business people or mum or dad picking their children up from school - everyone says it's time and some are embarrassed that it has taken so long for Australia to catch up with the rest of the world."
Mr Abbott admitted recently that he was the last hold-out in his own family, in comments some interpreted as a possible precursor to his own stance softening.
A succession of opinion polls suggests a clear majority of Australians support changing the Marriage Act to include same-sex couples.
Several Labor MPs and senators are expected to cross the floor when the matter comes to a parliamentary vote but recent counts suggest a parliamentary majority is now present.
- With The Age