"The time is now": Liberal senator confirms same-sex marriage push – The Sydney Morning Herald

A Liberal senator has publicly confirmed he is drafting a bill to legalise same-sex marriage, declaring the "time is now" for the historic reform.

Dean Smith has spoken for the first time about the private members' bill he intends to bring before the Liberal party room in the coming months, saying the issue has become an embarrassment for the nation.

"The bill is important because it will allow the Liberal Party to revisit the issue of marriage once and for all before the next election," Senator Smith toldThe Sunday Times in Perth."I don't doubt the complexity same-sex-marriage presents for some Liberals, but I am not asking people to change their mind on the issue.Instead, we should allow everyone the right to vote according to their own conscience."

As revealed by Fairfax Media last month, Senator Smith is working on the bill in collaboration with lower house NSW MP Trent Zimmerman. They want to bring on a free vote as early as August, when Federal Parliament resumes after the winter break.

"This is not an academic or theoretical issue," Senator Smith said."This goes to the heart of how some Australians could be free to live their lives according to their own choices."

"This is not about gays and lesbians. It is about respecting our humanity and it extends to the friends and families of gay and lesbian Australians. The electorate is the best gauge of authenticity and my sense is that people are embarrassed that Australia has not resolved this issue.

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"Many do support the matter being put before the parliament and finally resolved. The time is now."

Senator Smith, who is gay, says his bill will includeexemptions for religious and other celebrants who did not want to participate in same-sex marriages.

He acknowledges that the Coalition's official policy is still to hold a plebiscite, even though it has no chance of getting through a hostile Senate.

"The coalition's position is clear a plebiscite so people should not underestimate the challenge of securing a free vote on the issue," he said.

"But there is a sensible way forward. As dry as it seems, the Senate's report into the government's own draft marriage bill released as part of its plebiscite proposal plan is the blueprint for the bill and the most likely pathway for success."

Mr Turnbull isa supporter of same-sex marriage but last month sought to ruleout a parliamentary free vote ahead of the next election.

"We do not support a bill relating to gay marriage being brought on until there was a vote of the Australian people. We will not support a vote in the Parliament until there has been a plebiscite. We are not going to change our policy," he said.

However, Mr Turnbull's stance does not necessarily prevent movement, if enough Coalition MPs are prepared to cross the floor to force a debate. If the bill did come on it would need the support of only a handful of Coalition MPs to pass into law.

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"The time is now": Liberal senator confirms same-sex marriage push - The Sydney Morning Herald