Thousands show support for same-sex marriage at Sydney rally
By Ryan Love
Thousands of people attended a rally in Sydney, Australia calling for politicians to be given a free vote when the same-sex marriage bill is introduced into parliament tomorrow (Monday, June 1).
Deputy Labor leader Tanya Plibersek told the cheering crowd that there is a good chance same sex marriage could be legalised by the end of the year if a free vote is given, 9news reports.
Opposition leader Bill Shorten will introduce the private member’s bill, which will see the words “man and woman” replaced with the words “two people”.
Plibersek hopes that a coalition MP will second the bill, explaining: “Bipartisanship is so very important for this issue to succeed. I know there are other Liberals and Nationals who are supporters of marriage equality.”
Addressing the crowd, she said that this was a “matter that transcends politics”, adding: “This is the last piece of unfinished business.”
However, Prime Minister Tony Abbott is unlikely to be the one to second the bill, as he told reporters on Sunday: “I’ve made it very clear that while this is an important issue, the government has an absolute focus right now on getting the budget measures through parliament.”
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