Labor blocks “waste of money”

When it comes to a “will they, won’t they” it might be fun if it’s a romantic movie you are talking about but when it’s the plebiscite on same-sex marriage it has been frustrating for many.

Today the plebiscite debate is finally over as Labor officially blocked the proposal in the Senate during a caucus meeting. While the plebiscite was not what a lot of the Australian public wanted it does now through the debate over the issue into a grey area.

Labor wants the discussion to happen in Senate while Liberal MPs wanted to take it to the Australian people. Opposition leader Bill Shorten has stated that there was never a logical argument for the costly plebiscite as well as the belief that it could have a massive impact on the mental health of the LGBTI community.

Talking to the press, Bill said, “It is a waste of money. It will not bind Liberal MPs. It will cause potential harm to gay people and families and Australians just want us to get on with it”. He continued, “Children do not need to go to school in the climate of a plebiscite and have the integrity of their parents’ relationship challenged.

“I could not in good conscience recommend to the Labor Party that we support the plebiscite … the evidence became overwhelming of the harm it would cause.”

What do you think? Would the plebiscite have caused more harm than good? Do you want your say or do you want your elected officials to just make a decision on the matter?