2017-08-09
A Greens motion has succeeded in the Senate which forces the production of documents regarding the postal plebiscite. This order compels the government to divulge the details and legal advice relied on in making their decision to proceed with postal plebiscite.
The Senate motion has decreed that these documents be produced by 11:50am tomorrow, Thursday 10 August 2017.
‘This order will start to peel back the veneer of the government’s shonky, illegitimate and ludicrous plebi-survey,’ said Senator Janet Rice, Greens LGBTIQ spokesperson.
‘Malcolm Turnbull is holding the welfare of LGBTIQ people to ransom with his threat of a postal plebiscite after the Senate today rejected the plebiscite in just 52 minutes.’
‘This is just Malcolm Turnbull using LGBTIQ Australians as pawns in his political games, and wasting $122 million in the process.’
The Greens welcome the challenge to the postal plebiscite which has already been lodged in the High Court.
‘LGBTIQ people should not have their relationships, their identities and their families come under vicious scrutiny for a survey that is non-binding, non-compulsory and will disenfranchise young people,’ said Senator Rice. ‘We look forward to the outcome of this legal challenge and urge Mr Turnbull to find some ticker and allow a free vote in this parliament.’