Liberal senator Dean Smith plans to introduce a bill to allow same-sex marriage on Thursday.
The Senate will be asked on Wednesday to support a move to introduce draft laws allowing same-sex marriage on Thursday.
Liberal senator Dean Smith lodged a notice of motion for the Marriage Amendment (Definition and Religious Freedoms) Bill to be brought on, one day after the result of the national survey is released.
The motion, co-signed by Labor and crossbench senators, also seeks to put the bill at the top of the schedule for the final fortnight of parliament starting on November 27.
The motion also seeks for the bill to have precedence over all government and general business.
Liberal senator Dean Smith (pictured right, alongside James Paterson) plans to introduce a bill to allow same-sex marriage on Thursday
Supporters of marriage equality march near Victoria Park in Sydney, Saturday, October 21
As the announcement of the survey draws closer, it has been revealed Victoria police officers were offered counselling to deal with the results.
Separate work spaces will be offered to Victoria police officers who are upset by the results of the same-sex marriage vote.
A leaked memo said the police department will provide a ‘dedicated workplace’ and drop in centre for employees who are upset by the result of the controversial $122 million postal vote, according to 3AW.
Radio host Neil Mitchell said he was ‘baffled’ by the memo.
‘Maybe they’re expecting a ‘no’ vote?’ he said.
A separate work space and counselling will be offered to Victoria police officers who are upset by the results of the same-sex marriage vote, which is set to be announced on Wednesday
The allotted period for Australians to vote on same-sex marriage has ended, meaning the 12.6 million votes cast now need to be counted before parliament can look to pass it into law
A leaked memo said Victoria’s police department will provide a ‘dedicated workplace’ and drop in centre for employees who are upset by the result of the controversial $122 million postal vote
A LGBTI Employee Assistance Program counsellor will be available throughout the day and another counsellor can be booked for private sessions, the memo said.
‘Managers are encouraged to be mindful of the needs of their staff and provide appropriate support where needed.’
‘Victoria Police is committed to ensuring that our workplace is a safe and inclusive environment for all.’
Victorian public servants will also be offered specialist counselling when the result is announced.
A state government spokeswoman said two existing public service specialist LGBTQI counsellors will be available for all staff on Wednesday.
‘The plebiscite is unnecessary, expensive and hurtful. It has been a long, damaging and divisive campaign that has affected many in our community,’ she said in a statement on Monday.
‘This counselling is available to all VPS staff staff at all times to support them if they need it – the marriage equality survey has provided an opportunity to remind staff of this service.’
Victorian Equality Minister Martin Foley said it was up to everyone to decide how to support staff when the result is announced.
‘We make no apologies for making sure we have a safe and supportive workplace for all our employees,’ he told 3AW on Monday.
Pictured is a Victoria Police LGBTI liaison officer (GLLO) at a same-sex marriage rally in October
The returned ballots amounted for 78.5 per cent of the population, a strong response from the public
The 12.6 million votes cast will be counted and released before parliament can look to pass same-sex marriage into law.
The returned ballots amounted for 78.5 per cent of the population, a strong response from the public.
More people by percentage voted on the issue than Britons voted on Brexit and Americans voted in the Donald Trump versus Hillary Clinton Presidential election in the United States.
Australian Bureau of Statistics boss David Kalisch is now tasked with counting the ballots, and will address parliament in Canberra at 10am local time on Wednesday to reveal the result.
Australian Bureau of Statistics boss David Kalisch (pictured) is now tasked with counting the ballots, and will address parliament in Canberra at 10am on Wednesday to reveal the result
The pro-same-sex marriage campaign led the ‘No’ vote two-to-one through early opinion polls, with the latter needing an overwhelming majority to narrow the gap
Numerous events will be held around the nation for Wednesday’s eagerly anticipated but widely-accepted majority ‘Yes’ result.
The pro-same-sex marriage campaign led the ‘No’ vote two-to-one through early opinion polls, with the latter needing an overwhelming majority to narrow the gap.
‘We’re chasing down a big lead,’ ‘No’ campaign spokesman Lyle Shelton admitted.
Former Prime Minister and staunch anti-same-sex marriage opponent Tony Abbott said a 40 per cent figure would be a ‘moral victory’.
Should the vote come back majority ‘Yes’, as expected, Coalition MPs will be granted a free vote to decide whether the result is passed into law. That would likely occur before the end of the year.
Opposition Leader Bill Shorten said it was essential it was passed into law before 2018.
‘If we were not to implement a decision on marriage equality, the nation would throw up its hands and give up on the parliament,’ he told a meeting of opposition senators in Canberra.
If the ‘No’ campaign unexpectedly win, it is highly unlikely the government will introduce the bill and it will largely be dead as far as the Coalition are concerned.
Labor have promised to legalise same-sex marriage within 100 days should they win the next federal election.
Senator James Paterson has proposed an alternative bill to legalise same-sex marriage to ‘preserve’ the freedoms of Australians.
Paterson, a conservative Liberal, on Monday released draft legislation, which he argues will preserve the freedoms of all Australians.
The bill ensures exemptions for ministers of religion and celebrants with genuine belief and allows a limited form of conscientious objection.
It also seeks to protect freedom of speech and enacts a narrow anti-detriment clause, which would prevent governments and agencies taking adverse action against someone with a traditional view of marriage.
The bill would also guarantee the right of parents to opt their children out of school classes that conflicted with their values.
Fellow Liberal Dean Smith also has a private bill ready for parliament.
Senator James Paterson has proposed an alternative bill to legalise same-sex marriage to ‘preserve’ the freedoms of Australians
It also includes exemptions so religious organisations can refuse to conduct same-sex marriages.
Cabinet minister Mathias Cormann said his personal instinct was the Smith bill was ‘probably a good starting position’ because it had been subject to a cross-party Senate committee process.
‘But I suspect it will need improvement in terms of strengthening religious protections,’ he told ABC radio.
Ultimately it was up to parliament to decide which bill was the ‘vehicle to facilitate’ the parliamentary debate.
‘There won’t be a government position, there won’t be a party position,’ Senator Cormann said.
Senator Paterson, who voted yes in the marriage postal survey, says any ensuing law changes shouldn’t have negative consequences for opponents of same-sex marriage.
‘If the parliament opts for a narrower bill with fewer protections, I fear we will see some Australians seek to impose their values on others, with court cases and other legal mechanisms,’ he said in a statement announcing the draft bill.
‘I’ve never believed that allowing same-sex couples to marry needs to come at the expense of the freedoms of other Australians.’
Senator Paterson believes state and federal anti-discrimination laws aren’t strong enough.