Australian Marriage Law Postal Survey: Difference between revisions
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{{see also|History of same-sex marriage in Australia}} |
{{see also|History of same-sex marriage in Australia}} |
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{{see also|Recognition of same-sex unions in Australia}} |
{{see also|Recognition of same-sex unions in Australia}} |
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Prior to the [[Australian federal election, 2016|July 2016 federal election]], the [[Coalition (Australia)|Coalition]] [[Turnbull Government]] promised to hold a national vote on same-sex marriage in the form of a compulsory-attended [[Referendums in Australia|plebiscite]].<ref name="postelectionupdate">{{cite web|url=http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/federal-election-2016/election-2016-samesex-marriage-plebiscite-hanging-by-a-thread-20160703-gpxb4q.html|title=Election 2016: Same-sex marriage plebiscite hanging by a thread|work=[[Fairfax Media]]|publisher=[[The Sydney Morning Herald]]|date=3 July 2016|author=Michael Koziol}}</ref> |
Prior to the [[Australian federal election, 2016|July 2016 federal election]], the [[Coalition (Australia)|Coalition]] [[Turnbull Government]] promised to hold a national vote on same-sex marriage in the form of a compulsory-attended [[Referendums in Australia|plebiscite]].<ref name="postelectionupdate">{{cite web|url=http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/federal-election-2016/election-2016-samesex-marriage-plebiscite-hanging-by-a-thread-20160703-gpxb4q.html|title=Election 2016: Same-sex marriage plebiscite hanging by a thread|work=[[Fairfax Media]]|publisher=[[The Sydney Morning Herald]]|date=3 July 2016|author=Michael Koziol}}</ref> The current system of [[recognition of same-sex unions in Australia]] is chiefly centred around [[de facto]] relationships.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Elphick|first1=Liam|title=Do same-sex couples really have the same rights as married couples?|url=http://www.sbs.com.au/topics/sexuality/agenda/article/2017/09/14/do-same-sex-couples-really-have-same-rights-married-couples|accessdate=15 September 2017|work=SBS News|language=en}}</ref> |
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While the Coalition won half the seats in the lower house in the 2016 election and managed to form a [[majority government]] by one seat, they failed to pass the necessary legislation for a (compulsory attendance) referendum/plebiscite. The legislation passed the [[Australian House of Representatives|House of Representatives]] on 20 October 2016 by a vote of 76–67, but was rejected by the [[Australian Senate|Senate]] on 7 November 2016 by a vote of 33–29.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.buzzfeed.com/lanesainty/the-marriage-equality-plebiscite-bill-has-passed-the-house-o|title=The Marriage Equality Plebiscite Bill Has Passed The House Of Representatives|work=BuzzFeed News|date=20 October 2016|author=Lane Sainty}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2016/nov/07/marriage-equality-plebiscite-bill-set-to-fail-as-nxt-vows-to-block-it-in-senate|title=Marriage equality plebiscite bill voted down in Senate|work=Guardian|date=7 November 2016}}</ref> The idea of a postal plebiscite was originally proposed by [[Warren Entsch]] and later endorsed by [[Peter Dutton]] and [[Mathias Cormann]].<ref>{{cite news|last1=Knott|first1=Matthew|title=Peter Dutton working behind the scenes to legislate same-sex marriage before CEO spray|url=http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/peter-dutton-working-behind-the-scenes-to-legislate-samesex-marriage-before-ceo-spray-20170320-gv2lcq.html|accessdate=31 August 2017|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|date=22 March 2017}}</ref> Dutton pointed out that a postal vote would not need legislation to operate.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Knott|first1=Matthew|title=Same-sex marriage: Peter Dutton confirms push for a postal vote plebiscite|url=http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/samesex-marriage-peter-dutton-confirms-push-for-a-postal-vote-plebiscite-20170322-gv4h1m.html|accessdate=5 September 2017|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|date=23 March 2017}}</ref> In August 2017, following an attempt by five Liberal Party [[Member of Parliament|MPs]] to change party policy and have a [[conscience vote|free vote]] in the parliament on same-sex marriage legislation,<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.perthnow.com.au/news/western-australia/samesex-marriage-wa-liberal-senator-dean-smith-to-defy-prime-minister-malcolm-turnbull-with-bill/news-story/6097a88ce3c477f8c95f5f278c7e2ae5 |title=Same-sex marriage: WA Liberal senator Dean Smith to defy Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull with bill|work=Perth Now|date=6 August 2017}}</ref> the government announced it would move for a voluntary postal survey to be held later that year.<ref name="ABCAnnouncement">{{cite web|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-08-08/same-sex-marriage-pm-moves-to-hold-postal-plebiscite-vote/8784822|title=Same-sex marriage: Malcolm Turnbull sets date for $122m postal vote as doomed plebiscite heads to the Senate|work=ABC News|date=8 August 2017}}</ref> It was stated that this would only occur in the event the government's (compulsory) referendum/plebiscite legislation was again rejected by the Senate. That occurred on 9 August 2017, when a government-initiated motion in the Senate to debate the ''Plebiscite (Same-Sex Marriage) Bill 2016'' was tied at 31–31; resulting in the motion being defeated.<ref name="SBSAugust2017">{{cite web|url=http://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/2017/08/09/same-sex-marriage-green-light-postal-vote-after-plebiscite-bill-defeated|title=Same-sex marriage: Green light for postal vote after plebiscite bill defeated|work=SBS News|date=9 August 2017}}</ref> |
While the Coalition won half the seats in the lower house in the 2016 election and managed to form a [[majority government]] by one seat, they failed to pass the necessary legislation for a (compulsory attendance) referendum/plebiscite. The legislation passed the [[Australian House of Representatives|House of Representatives]] on 20 October 2016 by a vote of 76–67, but was rejected by the [[Australian Senate|Senate]] on 7 November 2016 by a vote of 33–29.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.buzzfeed.com/lanesainty/the-marriage-equality-plebiscite-bill-has-passed-the-house-o|title=The Marriage Equality Plebiscite Bill Has Passed The House Of Representatives|work=BuzzFeed News|date=20 October 2016|author=Lane Sainty}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2016/nov/07/marriage-equality-plebiscite-bill-set-to-fail-as-nxt-vows-to-block-it-in-senate|title=Marriage equality plebiscite bill voted down in Senate|work=Guardian|date=7 November 2016}}</ref> The idea of a postal plebiscite was originally proposed by [[Warren Entsch]] and later endorsed by [[Peter Dutton]] and [[Mathias Cormann]].<ref>{{cite news|last1=Knott|first1=Matthew|title=Peter Dutton working behind the scenes to legislate same-sex marriage before CEO spray|url=http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/peter-dutton-working-behind-the-scenes-to-legislate-samesex-marriage-before-ceo-spray-20170320-gv2lcq.html|accessdate=31 August 2017|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|date=22 March 2017}}</ref> Dutton pointed out that a postal vote would not need legislation to operate.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Knott|first1=Matthew|title=Same-sex marriage: Peter Dutton confirms push for a postal vote plebiscite|url=http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/samesex-marriage-peter-dutton-confirms-push-for-a-postal-vote-plebiscite-20170322-gv4h1m.html|accessdate=5 September 2017|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|date=23 March 2017}}</ref> In August 2017, following an attempt by five Liberal Party [[Member of Parliament|MPs]] to change party policy and have a [[conscience vote|free vote]] in the parliament on same-sex marriage legislation,<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.perthnow.com.au/news/western-australia/samesex-marriage-wa-liberal-senator-dean-smith-to-defy-prime-minister-malcolm-turnbull-with-bill/news-story/6097a88ce3c477f8c95f5f278c7e2ae5 |title=Same-sex marriage: WA Liberal senator Dean Smith to defy Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull with bill|work=Perth Now|date=6 August 2017}}</ref> the government announced it would move for a voluntary postal survey to be held later that year.<ref name="ABCAnnouncement">{{cite web|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-08-08/same-sex-marriage-pm-moves-to-hold-postal-plebiscite-vote/8784822|title=Same-sex marriage: Malcolm Turnbull sets date for $122m postal vote as doomed plebiscite heads to the Senate|work=ABC News|date=8 August 2017}}</ref> It was stated that this would only occur in the event the government's (compulsory) referendum/plebiscite legislation was again rejected by the Senate. That occurred on 9 August 2017, when a government-initiated motion in the Senate to debate the ''Plebiscite (Same-Sex Marriage) Bill 2016'' was tied at 31–31; resulting in the motion being defeated.<ref name="SBSAugust2017">{{cite web|url=http://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/2017/08/09/same-sex-marriage-green-light-postal-vote-after-plebiscite-bill-defeated|title=Same-sex marriage: Green light for postal vote after plebiscite bill defeated|work=SBS News|date=9 August 2017}}</ref> |
Revision as of 06:35, 16 September 2017
Duration | September 12 – November 7, 2017 |
---|---|
Location | Australia |
Type | Survey |
Budget | $122 million |
Organised by | Australian Bureau of Statistics |
Participants | Adults on the electoral roll |
Outcome | Result announced 15 November 2017 |
Website | marriagesurvey |
The Australian Marriage Law Postal Survey is a national voluntary survey to gauge support for legalising same-sex marriage being held in Australia via the postal service between 12 September and 7 November 2017. Unlike electoral voting, which is compulsory in Australia, responding to the survey is voluntary.
A survey form, instructions, and a reply-paid envelope are being mailed out by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) to every Australian on the electoral roll asking them to answer the question "Should the law be changed to allow same-sex couples to marry?" The ABS has outlined processes to ensure eligible Australians lacking access to post can participate.[1]
The survey result is non-binding on the government if a majority vote "Yes". In the event of a majority "No" result, the Australian government will not allow a parliamentary debate nor parliamentary vote on legalising same-sex marriage, maintaining the status quo. If the result of the survey is in favour of same-sex marriage, as predicted in opinion polling, the Turnbull Government has pledged to facilitate the introduction of a private member's bill to legalise same-sex marriage. This would allow a parliamentary debate and parliamentary vote in which parliamentarians would be free to vote their conscience, potentially leading to, although still not guaranteeing, the legalisation of same-sex marriage. Many same-sex marriage proponents were critical of the postal survey, viewing it as a costly delay compared to the onset of a conscience vote on same-sex marriage in the parliament.[2]
The survey was subject to legal challenges questioning the authority of the ABS to lawfully carry out the survey and whether the government had the legal right to fund the cost of the survey from funds designated by law for circumstances which are “urgent” and “unforeseen”. Both legal challenges failed, with the High Court of Australia finding the survey was lawful. There is also a legal challenge as to whether provisionally-enrolled 16- and 17-year-olds should be included in the survey.
Adults on the electoral roll in Australia as of 24 August 2017 are eligible to participate. By this date 98,000 new voters had been added to the roll and the roll was at a record high. Survey forms were distributed from 12 September with the ABS encouraging returns promptly (preferably to be received before 27 October to ensure sufficient processing time). The official survey close is 7 November and the results of the survey will be released on 15 November 2017.
Background
History
Prior to the July 2016 federal election, the Coalition Turnbull Government promised to hold a national vote on same-sex marriage in the form of a compulsory-attended plebiscite.[3] The current system of recognition of same-sex unions in Australia is chiefly centred around de facto relationships.[4]
While the Coalition won half the seats in the lower house in the 2016 election and managed to form a majority government by one seat, they failed to pass the necessary legislation for a (compulsory attendance) referendum/plebiscite. The legislation passed the House of Representatives on 20 October 2016 by a vote of 76–67, but was rejected by the Senate on 7 November 2016 by a vote of 33–29.[5][6] The idea of a postal plebiscite was originally proposed by Warren Entsch and later endorsed by Peter Dutton and Mathias Cormann.[7] Dutton pointed out that a postal vote would not need legislation to operate.[8] In August 2017, following an attempt by five Liberal Party MPs to change party policy and have a free vote in the parliament on same-sex marriage legislation,[9] the government announced it would move for a voluntary postal survey to be held later that year.[10] It was stated that this would only occur in the event the government's (compulsory) referendum/plebiscite legislation was again rejected by the Senate. That occurred on 9 August 2017, when a government-initiated motion in the Senate to debate the Plebiscite (Same-Sex Marriage) Bill 2016 was tied at 31–31; resulting in the motion being defeated.[11]
Following the result in the Senate, the government directed the Australian Statistician to begin the process of collecting statistical information on a voluntary basis, from all Australians on the electoral roll, as to their views on same-sex marriage.[12] The government asserted that this proposal did not require legislative approval from the parliament, arguing that the provisions of the Appropriations Act and the law governing the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) enabled it to use the ABS for such a purpose.[13] This has been argued by the government to be similar to the process by which God Save the Queen was replaced by Advance Australia Fair as the Australian national anthem.[14] The government announced the ABS would be assisted by having staff seconded from the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC), the organisation responsible for elections in Australia and managing the electoral roll.[15] The cost of the survey to the Australian taxpayer is forecast to be $122 million.[10] This expense, as well as the likelihood that the debate would activate ideological extremists and that normal electoral rules would not apply, were criticised in Parliament.[16] By 7 September, a total of $14.1 million had already been spent by the ABS on the postal survey - $8 million on advertising for the survey, $5.3 million on printing costs, and $600,000 for staff.[17]
The AEC reported that approximately 68,000 enrolment transactions were completed on 10 August, compared with an average of 4,000 per day.[18] In the period 8–14 August over 16,000 people had enrolled, and over 200,000 have updated their details.[19] By 20 August, over 36,000 had enrolled, and over 434,000 had updated their enrolment details.[20] By 22 August, over 54,000 had enrolled.[21] By 25 August the roll achieved a record high with over 16 million Australians on the roll (an additional 90,000 people had joined with a further 165,000 transactions still to be processed).[22] 65,000 of these new voters are between the ages of 18 and 24.[23] With 933,592 enrolment transactions completed by the AEC at the end of processing, it added 98,000 people to the roll with the total number of eligible Australians for the survey being 16,005,998.[24]
The Senate Finance and Public Administration References Committee opened a Public Inquiry into the arrangements around the postal survey on 14 August[25] with evidence given by the ABS at hearings on 17 August.[26] Further hearings involving the ABS, AEC, Australia Post, Department of Finance and Department of Human Services occurred on 7 September[27] and 15 September 2017.[25]
Key dates
Key dates relating to the survey are:[28][29]
- 24 August 2017: The final day for citizens to update or add their name and details to the electoral roll in order to receive a survey form
- 12 September 2017: Survey forms begin to be mailed out to all Australian voters over a two week period
- 25 September 2017: The date all survey forms are expected to have arrived
- 20 October 2017: Requests for replacement material closes (6pm local time)
- 27 October 2017: The date all eligible Australians will be strongly encouraged to return their form by
- 7 November 2017 (6pm EST): Responses received after this date will not be processed
- 15 November 2017: Statistics and integrity report released to the public
The result of the survey (including participation rates) will be released at a national level, at a state and territory level and at an electorate level.[1]
Legal challenges
When the idea of a postal plebiscite/vote was first raised in August, several legal experts warned of concerns regarding the capacity for such an event to be held without parliamentary approval through enactment of specific legislation.[30]
Constitutional expert George Williams described the proposal of the postal survey as a "poorly constructed vote for which [the government] doesn't have the correct [legal] procedures".[31] Anne Twomey, a constitutional law expert from the University of Sydney expressed scepticism over the role of the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) in the survey, stating that "the power of the ABS is to collect statistics...rather than opinions. Someone might therefore challenge it on the ground that it does not fall within the legislative functions of the ABS".[31] Both experts further doubted the capacity of the Finance Minister to allocate the necessary funding ($122 million) to the ABS, considering that such a non-legislated advance to a department can only be made in "urgent" and "unforeseen circumstances".[31][32] Some constitutional law experts said the survey was likely to be struck down by the courts because "[g]iven the long-running debate on same-sex marriage, it is far from obvious that it fits into these [urgent and unforseen] categories."[33]
The government refused to release to the public the legal advice it received, though Attorney-General George Brandis stated in an interview with the ABC 7.30 program that "we have acted on Solicitor-General's advice in which we are confident".[34] During court proceedings, the government revealed it was investigating ways to continue with the postal survey even if the legal challenges were successful.[17]
Three separate legal challenges were lodged contesting the legality of the survey, two with the High Court of Australia and one with the Australian Human Rights Commission, including on the grounds of unlawful funding from legally-specified funds, unlawful operation by the ABS, and unlawful age discrimination preventing the participation of 16 and 17 year olds. The High Court agreed to hear arguments in its cases on 5 and 6 September 2017 without ordering any temporary injunction.[35][36]
Argent-Marlowe-Wilkie challenge
Same-sex marriage advocates Shelley Argent (national spokeswoman of Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays) and Felicity Marlowe (member of Rainbow Families), along with independent MP Andrew Wilkie, announced they would challenge the postal survey in the High Court on 9 August 2017 and seek a temporary injunction.[37][38] The Argent-Marlowe-Wilkie challenge is against the Commonwealth of Australia, Mathias Cormann, Scott Morrison, David Kalisch and Tom Rogers, the electoral commissioner.[39] In the government's submissions to this court challenge the government responded that "[i]t is not correct to characterise the activity [of participation in the survey] as a vote."[40] The court questioned the validity of Wilkie's claim to standing on the case by virtue of his being a member of Parliament, but did not challenge Marlowe's claim to standing as being in a same-sex relationship.[41] Solicitor-General Stephen Donaghue, for the government, argued that this was not enough for Marlowe to bring the case.[42]
Australian Marriage Equality-Rice challenge
On 10 August, the Human Rights Law Centre filed a legal action on behalf of Australian Marriage Equality and Greens Senator Janet Rice.[43][44][45] The Australian Marriage Equality-Rice challenge is against Cormann and Kalisch, and argues that the provisions used by Cormann to finance the survey can only be used for ordinary government business.[39]
High Court ruling
The High Court handed down a summary ruling in both cases on 7 September 2017. The court determined that the survey was lawful, allowing it to proceed as scheduled.[46][47] The challengers have been ordered to pay costs, and the court's full legal decision will be published in the coming weeks.[48]
Age discrimination complaint
The legal complaint alleging age discrimination was lodged with the Australian Human Rights Commission by 17 year old Cameron Warasta, given that the Government has proposed to exclude 16 and 17 year olds who are provisionally enrolled on the electoral roll from the survey.[49] Because the survey is not being undertaken under electoral law, Warasata's case argues that the electoral law exemption to age anti-discrimination law does not apply.[50]
Survey process
The survey is being conducted on a voluntary basis, with no requirement on the part of the eligible Australian to mail back the survey form. This has led to concerns over a potentially low voter turnout/response rate and the prospect of Indigenous Australians in remote communities being unable to complete a survey.[51][52] Concern had been expressed regarding: electors who do not have their addresses visible on the electoral roll;[53] disenfranchisement in remote communities;[54] Australians overseas;[55] prisoners;[56] non-English speakers;[57] and young people.[58][59] Early criticism was also levelled at issues of privacy, citing the recent #censusfail of 2016.[60] The ABS has advised survey responses will be anonymous and protected under the secrecy provisions of the Census and Statistics Act 1905.[61] Former Privacy Commissioner Malcolm Crompton has independently reviewed ABS's privacy approaches and mitigations and announced he is satisfied.[62] The ABS has worked to address concerns with special strategies like paperless options (telephony and online form) and form drop off and pick up points in remote and capital city locations[63] and advising Australians can also authorise a "trusted person" to complete the survey on their behalf.[1] For those who can not complete a survey for themselves, the Chief Minister of the ACT, Andrew Barr has offered to be a "trusted person", if authorised, to complete a survey on their behalf.[64][65] There will be auditors and an external observer process to assure integrity of the process. The ABS will also publish a quality and integrity report.[1] The ABS has contacted online sellers to ask them to remove ads by people offering to sell their postal survey or answer, and has indicated that selling an answer would probably be an offence under the Census and Statistics Act 1905 or the Commonwealth Criminal Code.[66] The Digital Transformation Agency has assisted the ABS with the paperless options for the survey, and unauthorised anonymous staff claim that due to the compressed timescale of the survey, the normal tests have not been completed, including enough user testing.[67]
Unlike elections or referendums, there are no automatic special regulations relating to advertising requirements or prohibited content for the survey of the kind found in the Electoral Act.[68] Consequently, the Government and Opposition engaged in negotiations to introduce legislation designed to replicate these type of regulations, as well as create measures to prevent vilification, intimidation, or threats to cause harm on the basis of the sexual orientation, gender identity, intersex status or the religious convictions of someone during the survey period.[69] On 13 September, the government introduced the Marriage Law Survey (Additional Safeguards) Bill 2017 for these purposes in the Senate.[70] The bill passed the Senate, after an amendment moved by Greens leader Richard Di Natale to allow 16- and 17-year-olds the right to participate in the survey was defeated. The bill immediately proceeded to and was passed by the House of Representatives.[70] The bill received royal assent on 13 September and went into effect the following day.[70][71] The Act automatically expires on 15 November 2017.[71] Neither the "Yes" or "No" campaign will receive public funding in the survey, as was envisioned for a compulsory attendance plebiscite.[72] Prime Minister Turnbull also ruled out a ban on foreign donations for the survey.[73]
All Australians whose names are on the electoral roll or have applied to be put on the roll before 24 August 2017 will be mailed a survey form and enrolled Australians living overseas along with those in certain special categories will be entitled to complete a survey using paperless methods.[74][75] The AEC made a statement that provisionally-enrolled 16- and 17-year-olds will not be posted the survey[76] and to be absolutely clear an amended direction was issued by Government to the Australian Statistician making clear only those 18 or older on 24 August are eligible.[77] This is subject to a Human Rights Commission complaint and possible legal challenge.[50]
Australia Post is capable of sending out 600,000 survey forms per day.[78] After several "yes" respondents posted images of their forms on social media, the ABS cautioned participants to not photograph their form barcodes, so as to prevent any fraudulent conduct. Additionally, survey forms can be invalidated in the event the question is rephrased by the participant.[79] The ABS issued several examples of what constitutes a valid and invalid response, such as marking both boxes ("Yes and "No") or crossing out one of the words on the form.[80] The ABS has advised that if an extra form addressed to a previous resident arrives because someone did not update their electoral details, the unofficial recipient should write on the front "return to sender" and send it back.[81]
Question
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/df/Australian_Marriage_Law_Postal_Survey_form.png/250px-Australian_Marriage_Law_Postal_Survey_form.png)
The survey form asks respondents:
"Should the law be changed to allow same-sex couples to marry?"[82]
Legislation proposed
The government has said it will facilitate a private member's bill in the parliament which would legalise same-sex marriage, if a majority of survey respondents answer "Yes" to the question. The Minister for Finance, Mathias Cormann initially said that the proposed legislation would not be available prior to the postal survey being completed.[83] The Attorney-General, George Brandis subsequently said that Senator Dean Smith's private member's bill is the draft bill under discussion,[84] but later amended this statement, saying that Smith's bill is one of the likely options.[85][86] In September 2017, Senator Cormann said. "The form that such a [same-sex marriage] bill will ultimately take will be a matter for the parliament, not the government".[87] Uncertainty over the exact model of the legislation has led to debates, including on religious freedom.[88]
The wording of an exposure draft of a possible bill from early 2017 proposed to amend the definition of "marriage" and replace the terms "man" and "woman" with the gender neutral phrase "two people".[89] Smith's proposed bill reportedly intends to introduce non-gendered language to the Marriage Act and ensure existing requirements for a legally valid marriage otherwise remain the same.[90]
The survey question refers to "same-sex couples" while the proposed legislation refers to "two people".[91][92] The proposed wording of "two people" has been said to allow intersex or non-binary gender Australians to marry.[93]
Support and opposition
Party positions in a parliamentary vote
These are official positions held by political parties in Australian Parliament in regard to the issue of same-sex marriage itself. The Australian Labor Party official position is in support of same-sex marriage, though any MPs and Senators will not be bound to campaign and vote for it in Parliament up until 2019.[94] The Liberal Party position in regard to same-sex marriage is to hold a plebiscite of some kind before any change to the law is made; no official position has been adopted on the survey itself, hence Liberal MPs (including Cabinet members) are free to campaign and vote for either campaign,[95] and all politicians may use their electoral printing and communications budget to campaign.[96] MPs may, in the event of a vote, choose to vote according to how their individual electorates respond to the survey, or according to how the national result turns out, or according to their own consciences.[97]
"Yes" campaign
The campaign for supporting voting in favour of same-sex marriage in the survey has received support from Labor,[107] the Liberals and Nationals for yes campaign,[108] and four minor political parties represented in the Federal parliament, and from prominent lobby groups including Australian Marriage Equality and GetUp!.[109][110]
"No" campaign
The campaign advocating voting against changing the current marriage laws in the survey is supported by the Nationals[95] and three minor parties represented in the Federal parliament. Several groups opposed to same-sex marriage, including the Australian Christian Lobby and the Marriage Alliance, have formed the Coalition for Marriage to co-ordinate the "No" campaign.[111][112][113]
Neutral
The Liberal Party of Australia does not hold a position either way in the survey.[95]
Public opinion
Opinion polls in Australia over several years have indicated a comfortable majority of Australians support same-sex marriage.[114][115][116][117] A Guardian Essential poll conducted just prior to the announcement of the postal survey indicated that 43% approved of a postal vote and 38% disapproved,[118] whereas a week later, 39% approved of the postal survey and 47% disapproved of it.[119]
Voting intentions
Date | Firm | Yes | No | Undecided | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
6–9 September 2017 | Ipsos[120] | 70% | — | — | 1,400 |
28 Aug – 6 Sept 2017 | Newgate Research[121] | 58.4% | 31.4% | 10.2% | 800 |
1-4 September 2017 | Essential[122][123] | 59% | 31% | 11% | 1,784 |
17–22 August 2017 | Essential[124][125] | 57% | 32% | 11% | 1,817 |
17–21 August 2017 | YouGov[126] | 59% | 33% | 8% | 1,012 |
17–20 August 2017 | Newspoll[127][128] | 63% | 30% | 7% | 1,675 |
Likelihood of voting in the survey
Date | Firm | Definitely will | Probably will | Probably won't | Definitely won't | Undecided | Sample size | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
6–9 September 2017 | Ipsos[120] | 65% | — | — | — | — | 1,400 | |
1–4 September 2017 | Essential[122][123] | 62% | 16% | 4% | 3% | 10% | 1,784 | |
23 August 2017 | ReachTEL[129] | 78.7% | 10% | 4.1% | 7.2% | – | 2,382 | [N 1] |
17–22 August 2017 | Essential[124] | 63% | 18% | 4% | 6% | 9% | 1,817 | |
17–20 August 2017 | Newspoll[127] | 67% | 15% | 4% | 3% | 12% | 1,675 | [N 2] |
Activities during the campaign
ABC talkback caller's Hitler comments
During a talkback segment on a popular ABC Radio Melbourne show, a caller identified as Don concluded his perspective on the debate by saying, "Hitler had concentration camps for these gay people, one of the two good things he did. The other one was to build the autobahns".[130][131] Host Jon Faine asked the caller to repeat his statement before terminating the call. ABC management apologised for airing the comments but defended their decision not to review the talkback call vetting process.[130]
Advertising
The advertising agency, "The Royals", described as a "leading advertising agency behind the push for same-sex marriage",[132][133] and backed by more than 500 employees from Australian advertising agencies and media companies, is refusing to work for companies campaigning against the cause. The boycott has been criticised as an attack on free speech but has been defended "as being no different to refusing to work for a tobacco company".[134][132]
The first television ad for the "No" campaign featured three women and focused on the Safe Schools education program.[135] The ad was criticised as being inaccurate, and for linking the survey (and same-sex marriage in general) to Safe Schools.[136] Mothers of transgender children criticised the ad for bringing their children into the debate.[137] The women had previously been active campaigners against Safe Schools: Heidi McIvor,[138][139] Cella White,[140] and Pansy Lai.[141][142] McIvor said her family has been abused and her church threatened with violence.[139] A second television ad, released by the "No" campaign, was based on the book The Gender Fairy and featured two of the same mothers as the original advertisement.[143] Again the ad attracted criticism, with 'yes' campaign spokesman Tiernan Brady saying it was "disgraceful in its dishonesty".[143]
The "Yes" campaign aired a rebuttal advertisement[144] and released further advertisements over the following weeks, one of which featured world champion swimmer Ian Thorpe.[145][146]
As of September, the "No" campaign had spent $312,000 on TV advertising, and the "Yes" campaign had spent $64,000.[147] On the same day Qantas CEO Alan Joyce made a personal donation of $1 million to the "Yes" campaign.[148]
Legislation in effect for the duration of the survey makes it illegal to vilify, intimidate, threaten or harm "on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity, intersex status or religion", with a fine of up to $12,600 for breaches.[149] Furthermore, all campaign material must be authorised.[150]
Advocacy by state, territory and local governments
- Territory government
The ACT Chief Minister, Andrew Barr, a strong supporter of same-sex marriage, made an emotional plea to fellow assembly members to support the use of significant government resources for promotional campaigns on public buses and flagpoles in Canberra. He also said the government was considering "creating rainbow roundabouts and commissioning rainbow-themed murals". This was criticised by the opposition party, the Canberra Liberals.[151][152] ACT Public Sector Standards Commissioner, Bronwen Overton-Clarke said public servants had not been tasked to "to actively participate in this survey".[153] The government's pro-same-sex marriage campaign is estimated to cost of $45,000 and will be "funded out of the existing budget".[154] In August, two Canberra buses were covered in rainbows.[155]
- Local government
The City of Darebin announced it will write to local churches and allow "Yes" campaigners to use council facilities and services for free in the lead up to the postal survey on same-sex marriage and to bar "No" campaigners from using council facilities.[156] The council subsequently "watered down" its plans to oppose the "No" side in this way following community pressure.[157] The City of Sydney is campaigning for a "Yes" result, with a budget of $110,000, including displaying rainbow flags, mailing out material supporting a yes response.[158][159]
In rejecting a council motion for the Brisbane City Council to support the "Yes" vote, the Lord Mayor, Graham Quirk said, "the public does not like to be told by the government how to vote".[160]
Australian Christian Lobby office
The Australian Christian Lobby's reply-paid address has been used to send glitter bombs and other material to the ACL.[161] Australian Christian Lobby managing director Lyle Shelton has said that the group has received death threats and eggs have been thrown at its office.[162][163] When several packages containing white powder were mailed (necessitating the evacuation of 30 staff at the Canberra mail-centre) both Lyle Shelton and Alex Greenwich of Australian Marriage Equality said the marriage debate should remain respectful.[162][163][164]
Benjamin Law's comments
In September 2017, Australian author and journalist Benjamin Law said, "Sometimes find myself wondering if I’d hate-fuck all the anti-gay MPs in parliament if it meant they got the homophobia out of their system", and referring specifically to Andrew Hastie MP said, "sighs heavily, unzips pants".[165][166]
Bulimba 4 Marriage Equality assault
The 19-year old godson of former Prime Minister Kevin Rudd was allegedly punched by a man believed to be pulling down 'yes' posters in Bulimba. The man was later arrested and charged by police and will face the Brisbane Magistrates Court in October 2017.[167][168]
Children
Organisations such as the Australian Christian Lobby and the Australian Catholic Bishops' Conference have said that best interests of children are important in this debate.[169][170] The Australian National Imams Council say that the, "family unit is at the heart of a healthy society, and in this context, the right of children to be cared for and raised by both a mother and father is one that must be protected".[171] Same-sex adoption is already legal in every Australian state, however.[172]
After a statement was made against same-sex families with children by a politician, The Conversation cited research showing children can be raised just as well (and sometimes better) by parents of the same gender. It also said that children with same-gender parents stand to benefit if their parents are granted the freedom to marry.[173] A petition has been signed by "hundreds of doctors" saying that there is "peer-reviewed evidence of poorer outcomes for children of same-sex parented families".[174]
The editor of Guardian Australia, Lenore Taylor has said that the paper will not, "be giving equal-time to spurious arguments" saying, "the 'No' camp will try to contort this issue into anything other than what it is" - namely same-sex marriage.[175]
Counselling for those impacted
For LGBTIQ people for whom the debate may be having an negative impact, helplines, strategies and counsellors have been made available by a number of organisations including the ABC,[176][177] Defence (DEFGLIS),[178] Victorian local councils[179] and Alfred Health.[180] Information from, and links to, further resources including Beyond Blue, the Aids Council of New South Wales, the Victorian Aids Council, Queerspace and the Safe Schools program, are also available.[179] The WA Greens called for more government funding for LGBTIQ mental health services to be made available during the marriage survey,[181] with an extra $60,000 subsequently allocated.[182] The Victorian Government has provided $500,000 extra for support services.[183] The Queensland Government has allocated an extra $338,000, "to protect the mental health of the LGBTI community in the lead up to the postal vote".[184] The Australian Psychological Society has released a guide for parents about how to talk to their children about the debate.[185] Lifeline has reported a spike in calls about the postal survey.[186]
The Communications, Electrical and Plumbing Union has expressed concerns about the risk to the welfare of posties forced to deliver the postal survey if it is against their beliefs.[187]
Flyers targeting local elections
Anonymous flyers that link the postal survey to local council elections have been circulated in western and south-western Sydney.[188]
Freedom of speech and freedom of religion
Some conservative politicians and others have raised the issue of freedom of speech and freedom of religion. Tony Abbott has said he urges a "No" vote to reject "political correctness" and protect "religious freedom".[189] The Catholic church has raised freedom-of-speech concerns following a prior experience, in which an archbishop was taken to an anti-discrimination commission for explaining the Christian view of marriage.[170] The National Catholic Education Commission (NCEC) has said without seeing what is proposed, "it is impossible to . . . ensure Catholic schools can continue to teach the Catholic view of marriage".[190] Former Prime Minister John Howard has said the government needs to provide more detail on the religious exemptions.[191]
It has been argued that religious organisations can access exemptions from anti-discrimination laws and, consequently, will remain free to refuse same-sex marriage if it is eventually introduced.[88] Some conservative politicians have also suggested that religious exemptions should be expanded to individuals and businesses providing goods and services.[192][193] It has been argued that unlike performing marriage sacraments, providing goods and services is not a religious act.[194]
Federal Minister Christopher Pyne has said that the survey is about marriage and has nothing to do with freedom of speech or religious freedom.[195] The Attorney-General, George Brandis has similarly said that he will not be "fighting the debate on broader issues" and that freedoms are protected under current law and any future bill would have very thorough further measures.[196][197]
The National Liberal Party President said, to say any future same-sex marriage legislation, "would damage religious freedom is deliberately misleading",[108] while the Vice President said that there are, "very real consequences in terms of freedom of speech, religion and association".[198]
The response to a Newspoll question, "Do you think parliament should provide guarantees in law for freedom of conscience, belief and religion if it legislates for same-sex marriage?" was Yes 62%, Oppose 18%, Uncommitted 20%, with Labor voters providing the strongest support at 68%.[127]
- Within organisations
Leaders of organisations such as Qantas and Deakin University have advocated their views on marriage. Concerns have been raised as to the implications for their staff and students respectively.[199][200] Following same-sex marriage endorsements on behalf of the NSW Law Society, lawyers have resigned. Similarly doctors have criticised and resigned from the Australian Medical Association (AMA) following that organisation implying that its members support same-sex marriage, with concerns raised regarding the research quoted by the AMA into the welfare of children.[201][202] A coalition of barristers have asked the NSW Bar Association to "apologise and immediately withdraw the endorsement".[203]
FreeTV determination
The group FreeTV Australia, representing the free-to-air commercial networks, pulled from broadcasting, a Father's Day ad, which showed a father singing his daughter a lullaby. The organisation 'Dads4Kids' was told that their ad, "potentially contains political matter" and was therefore unsuitable to be aired in its current form.[204][205] According to a press release from FreeTV, the ad was pulled because "The advertiser was requested, but declined, to add an identification tag to the commercial to comply with Schedule 2 of the Broadcasting Services Act".[206] The determination also prevented the ad being run under the provisions of, 'Community Service Announcement' regulations.[207] Dads4Kids support the existing definition of marriage, arguing in a 2014 Senate submission that same-sex marriage would constitute "a major distortion or disordering of the male or female gender". [208] Just Equal spokesman Ivan Hinton-Teoh stated the group was engaging in a "dodgy campaign tactic" to claim victimhood in the same-sex marriage debate.[208]
Incident outside a Brisbane church
A meeting was rescheduled to a Brisbane church to discuss safe schools issues. Protesters, supporting the "Yes" campaign, were outside. Police were in attendance. A protester said, "people drove their cars nearly at full speed into the Yes campaigners". The protesters said there were injuries. A protester rang 000, saying there was an emergency. Senior politicians called for calm.[209][210][211] The proceedings were video recorded. Ambulance officers and the police dismissed the protesters' allegations saying, "there was no record of any cars hurtling towards protesters, nor any other assault or injury".[212]
Neo-Nazi posters
It was widely reported that a poster urging a "No" vote and bearing links to Neo-Nazi white supremacist groups was displayed in Melbourne, prompting outrage.[213][214] A number of inconsistencies relating to this event were raised,[215][216] and Channel 10 was forced to apologise for broadcasting a photoshopped image of the poster. The City of Melbourne, when investigating the area where the poster was said to be found, could not find any.[217] Other posters have been found,[218] and the Antipodean Resistance group has claimed responsibility.[219]
Rallies
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/37/Melbourne_Rally_for_Marriage_Equality_2017_%2835976256214%29.jpg/300px-Melbourne_Rally_for_Marriage_Equality_2017_%2835976256214%29.jpg)
Some of the "largest LGBTI demonstrations in Australian history" occurred in the lead-up to the postal survey in various cities.[220] On 27 August, approximately 20,000 people attended a rally in Melbourne calling on the government to legalise same-sex marriage,[221] whilst on 10 September more than 30,000 people gathered in Sydney's CBD supporting a "Yes" vote in the survey.[222]
A Sydney University protest supporting the "No" campaign was interrupted by a larger counter-protest of "Yes" supporters, which allegedly resulted in "physical assault", however an individual observing the incident told The Sydney Morning Herald that there was only "quite a heated verbal confrontation, the worst was someone putting a megaphone in someone else's face". Police intervened.[223][224][225][226]
Standards for ABC media coverage
An interview by ABC presenter Joe O'Brien with Lyle Shelton was the subject of a complaint by the Australian Christian Lobby. Bringing up Ian Thorpe's swimming achievements, O'Brien asked Shelton "what right do you have to participate in that joy, and take national pride in those achievements, if you now deny him the right to feel like an equal and experience the joy of marriage?"[227] In rejecting any perceived bias, the ABC said that as a devil's advocate question it was "not inconsistent with standards".[228][229] Neil Mitchell from radio 3AW said it was a "disgraceful piece of television".[227]
Tim Minchin's song
Australian performer Tim Minchin performed "I Still Call Australia Homophobic"[230][231] – a re-work of Peter Allen's, "I Still Call Australia Home" – that refers to those supporting the "No" case as homophobic and "bigoted cunts". Minchin's song has been viewed more than 4 million times. He was criticised by politicians Tony Abbott and Mitch Fifield and conservative columnist Gerard Henderson.[232][233][234]
Use of Meghan Trainor's image
A Facebook ad using a photograph of American singer Meghan Trainor connected with her single, No, implying that the singer would vote no, was criticised by Trainor, who advocated for same-sex marriage. Those responsible apologised.[235]
Wedding cancelled
In September 2017, the minister of the Presbyterian church of Ebenezer St John's in Ballarat, Victoria (Steven North) refused to officiate the planned wedding of an opposite-sex couple in the church after the bride-to-be posted a message in support of same-sex marriage on Facebook.[236][237] Mr. North stated that the message had "practical consequences" as it could allegedly be inferred that he or the church supports same-sex marriage.[236] Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull later expressed support for the church's decision, saying "churches are entitled to marry or not marry whom they please".[236] The incident did generate significant controversy however, with some politicians expressing disagreement with the decision and representatives of the Presbyterian church emphasising that decisions of this kind are made at the local level.[236][238]
The couple itself expressed profound "stress and upset" at North's decision, and announced their decision to leave the church after 10 years as parishioners and instead conduct their ceremony at a secular wedding venue.[237]
See also
Notes
References
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