Marriage equality: five Liberal MPs back Dean Smith’s bill ahead of bruising debate – The Guardian

Supporters of marriage equality march through Sydney on Sunday as the Coalition government gets set to debate its policy. Photograph: Peter Parks/AFP/Getty Images

Five Liberal MPs released an unprecedented joint statement in support of Dean Smiths marriage equality bill, attracting overwhelming support from advocates as the Liberal party prepared for a bruising debate in a special party room meeting.

But the outcome of the issue remains in play, as Malcolm Turnbull is under pressure from supporters to allow a free vote and opponents urge him to stick to the policy of a plebiscite.

The prime minister called the meeting to allow discussion after Smith made it clear he was preparing the bill to come before the parliament. The Liberal meeting will not start until 4pm and it follows the National party meeting on Friday, which supported the existing plebiscite policy.

After the Liberals meet, the Coalition will have to come together again for the joint party room meeting on Tuesday morning ahead of parliament where any outcomes could be further raked over.

Smiths bill has forced the Coalition party room to resolve whether to allow a conscience vote as John Howard had done in the past on the abortion drug RU486, stem cell research and euthanasia.

Labors manager of opposition business, Tony Burke, promised not to use marriage equality to spark a no-confidence motion in the Coalition government. The majority of Labor MPs support the change though it is understood a small group of four MPs are opposed. Four of the five crossbenchers also support change, with only Bob Katter opposed to marriage equality.

Smiths bill would redefine marriage as a union of two people, to the exclusion of all others, voluntarily entered into for life and include all lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and intersex people and relationships.

In a joint statement, Smith, Warren Entsch, Trent Zimmerman, Tim Wilson and Trevor Evans said the marriage bill was the first to introduce protection for the views of ministers of religion and Australian defence force chaplains, while creating a new class of religious marriage celebrants.

Zimmerman said delivering marriage equality would strengthen family life.

We believe marriage to be a fundamental institution in Australian life and ensuring all couples have access to it will be beneficial to individuals, couples, families and the community, and will strengthen Australian family life, said Zimmerman.

Evans said it was time the political stalemate was broken and the bill was passed to allow the parliament to move on.

Entsch, the Coalitions longtime campaigner on the issue, said the issue was about real peoples lives.

LGBTI people are our brothers and sisters, friends and work colleagues. They just want the same dignity as everyone else in their families. Lets just do this, Entsch said.

On Sunday, Smith warned his conservative colleagues that a future Labor bill would not contain such religious protections.

The bill closely reflects the recommendations of the consensus Senate report, which unanimously rejected several proposed forms of discrimination against LGBTI people, including the ability for civil celebrants to reject their weddings.

The bill would confirm the requirements for a legally valid marriage otherwise remain the same under the Marriage Act, by introducing non-gendered language to ensure the requirements continue to apply equally to all marriages.

The bill would also enable same-sex marriages solemnised in another country to be recognised in Australia.

It would also create a new category to include for religious ministers from independent religious organisations as well as existing marriage celebrants wanting to perform marriages consistent with their religious beliefs.

Existing registered celebrants who are not ministers of religion would have 90 days to notify in writing that they wish to be identified as a religious marriage celebrant based on their beliefs. These formerly civil marriage celebrants would be required to advertise their services as a religious marriage celebrant.

If the bill is passed, there would also be a new category of officers to solemnise marriages of members of the Australian defence force overseas.

The bill would allow ministers of religion to refuse to solemnise a marriage in conformity with their religions doctrine.

Bodies established for religious purposes would be able to refuse to provide facilities, goods or services on the grounds of their religion.

The co-chair of Australian Marriage Equality, Alex Greenwich, said the bill represents the most robust and genuine approach to achieve marriage equality that the parliament had seen.

Its passage will fulfil the hopes of loving and same-sex couples to get married, and truly reflect Australias shared values of fairness and equality, Greenwich said.

Anna Brown, co-chair of the Equality Campaign, welcomed the bill and said it was in keeping with the roadmap set by the bipartisan Senate report agreed on earlier this year.

Weve been waiting for marriage equality for a long time and now our politicians have the opportunity to make it a reality with a bill that reflects the hard work and extensive consultation undertaken by a Senate committee earlier this year, said Brown.

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Marriage equality: five Liberal MPs back Dean Smith's bill ahead of bruising debate - The Guardian