Marriage Equality Bill Passed

BY KRISTEN TSIAMIS

Monday’s City of Sydney Council meeting saw a Notice of Motion supporting Marriage Equality proposed by Labor Councillor Linda Scott.

It was met with heated debate and varying views. Cr Scott’s initial motion was not passed.

An amended motion was put forward by Deputy Lord Mayor Kerryn Phelps, and this motion was passed, after also being subjected to debate.

Independent Councillor Angela Vithoulkas told City Hub  that there were “several very heated opinions on the matter, and it caused a lot of angst.”

“Councillors were at an impasse, as this motion was divisive, as some Councillors wanted to support the motion, but couldn’t support certain points, and were torn about how this would look to the community.”

Cr Christine Forster said that she “voted in favour of calls for there to be a free vote on marriage equality in Federal Parliament, and against the condemnation of the plebiscite.”

The particular parts of the motion that Cr Forster voted against in the motion put forward by Deputy Lord Mayor  were sections B and D, which respectively state that the City “strongly oppose the Commonwealth Government’s proposed plebiscite on same-sex marriage, noting that the results of the plebiscite will be non-binding on the Australian parliament” and “commend all political parties and individual senators who have indicated their intention to vote against the Plebiscite (Same Sex Marriage)Bill 2016 when it is considered by the Australian Senate.”

Cr Forster said that the reason she voted against the section of the motion that condemned the plebiscite because “the Liberal/National Coalition took a clear policy in the Federal election that they would put the question of marriage equality to the people, and the government was returned.”

“My preference is a free vote.”’

Cr Vithoulkas said that the issue of marriage equality has “descended into and has become about a political voting bloc. This issue is dividing both the community and politics.”

“Cr Forster agreed, and said the policy she voted against was very political, and is the reason she voted against it. “I was very happy to vote for the motion I voted for, and called for a free vote.”

Cr Scott supported the motion that passed, and maintains her objection to the marriage equality plebiscite. She believes “it should be a vote for the government.”

“The best and only way to create marriage equality in Australia is through a vote in our Federal Parliament to change the law” she said. Cr Scott also said that Cr Forster voting against the section that outlined opposition to the plebiscite highlights the truth of the Liberal party’s position.

“Now Cr Forster has revealed the truth about her party’s position – the plebiscite was a political deal, trading the rights of people and their families in order to settle in internal factional dispute.”

Despite the differences in opinion, Cr Vithoulkas believes that this is the most positive end to a council meeting she’s seen whilst in office.

“In the 4 years I’ve been at council, I don’t remember a council meeting ending on a positive note like that” she said.