AUSTRALIA: $160M Budgeted For Marriage Vote

SameSame reports:

Attorney-General George Brandis and Minister of Justice Michael Keenan have confirmed Australia’s Federal Government has set aside a sum of $160 million for a plebiscite on same-sex marriage in tonight’s budget. “The Government has also made provision in the Contingency Reserve of $160 million for the plebiscite on same-sex marriage,” they confirm in a statement tonight. They’ve also made provision of $160 million for the referendum on Constitutional Recognition of Indigenous Australians. This is the first official sign that the Federal Government is actually serious about the public vote on marriage, and is setting aside a hefty amount for it.

Via press release from Australian Marriage Equality:



Fairness and equality for all Australian shouldn’t cost a cent  The Budget has confirmed just how costly a plebiscite will be, and how wasteful given Parliament could pass marriage equality tomorrow. Corporate, political and religious leaders, and mental health experts, have all raised concerns about a plebiscite.

We call on the Government to drop its plan for an expensive and unnecessary plebiscite and spend this money on essential services instead.  Regardless of who wins the next election we need to build support in the community and parliament, and in the lead up to the next election.

In our largest election campaign ever, AME will be running campaigns in more than 30 seats across Australia to win over candidates and communities. If the Coalition remains committed to a plebiscite and is returned to government we will run a ‘yes’ campaign that unites Australians behind a reform that reflects our nations’ values of fairness and equality.