Plebiscite fails: Senate defeats same-sex marriage plan
THERE will be no national vote to legalise same-sex marriage in Australia, likely knocking the issue off the table until after the next Federal election.
The government's plan was voted down in the Senate 33 to 29.
The Opposition pushed back against the plan, despite supporting same-sex marriage, saying it risked exposing the gay and lesbian community to a harmful and unnecessary debate.
The plebiscite was first proposed by former Prime Minister Tony Abbott more than a year ago, which his successor Malcolm Turnbull took to the 2016 election.
Reader poll
Should Australia have a national vote on same sex marriage?
This poll ended on 09 November 2016.
Current Results
Yes, the people should get to say yes or no
53%
No, that's why we pay these politicians. Do the job
29%
No, it risks exposing a whole community to a vile debate
4%
No, same-sex marriage is not something Australia should have
8%
I'm not really fussed
4%
This is not a scientific poll. The results reflect only the opinions of those who chose to participate.
Mr Turnbull's vow to support a plebiscite rather than a conscious vote in Parliament was part of the deal he made when amassing backers ahead of his successful tilt to become prime minister.
Labor and the Greens each opposed the vote, as did the Nick Xenophon Team and Derryn Hinch.
The One Nation Party, Senator Jacqui Lambie and Liberal Democrat senator David Leyonhjelm supported the vote.
The Federal Government said the vote would be the quickest way for advocates to achieve same-sex marriage, with the vote to be held in February next year and likely to pass.
The vote was expected to cost taxpayers $170 million.
