Originally posted by CroNich

Right? Like they may as well just put a poll on facebook or something.

Originally posted by Aurora

I'm ****ing pressed. I'm still mad the Liberals won the election, now they want to throw this expensive ass hate campaign at us? That's all it is.

PLUS even if (when) it returns a majority "yes" vote (which it will based on free polls, a progressive public and common sense) the parliament are under NO obligation to actually go ahead and legalise it. It's basically just an expensive excuse to delay the inevitable as long as possible and say, "K thanks for letting us know! We'll get back to you on that one."

Ugh ugh ugh.

Originally posted by CroNich

Before anyone jumps in to celebrate, this is not a good thing for our country. A plebiscite is a non-binding nation-wide vote of which the Government doesn't even need to respect the outcome of the vote to pass or ignore a law. There is a reason we haven't had one in FORTY YEARS. It is a total waste of our countries time and money. The worst part though is that there will be a significant amount of financing (millions of dollars) to fund both sides. That means the Government is using tax-payer money (aka money that I have worked hard for) to pay for advertisements and propaganda to say that I don't have the right to marry the person I love.

It is this extremely damaging to any member of the LGBTQI community, having to be subjected to tv commercials, billboards, radio advertisements and a shrew of public opinions that detest who I am as a person. I am honestly frightened as to what impact it could have on our communities youths, who for the most part are coming to terms with their on sexuality and accepting themselves. Forcing a 13 year old sexually confused kid to listen to anti-gay propaganda is so, so, so damaging. I mean kids are killing themselves over this! I personally would rather wait another 3 years then have to sit through a war of media on what should be my basic right.

Originally posted by Rihlana

I couldn't agree more. It's truly the biggest waste of money, and it will be so scarring for young people questioning their sexuality. The fact that they do not need to respect the outcome is BS. If it comes back that we want marriage equality, they may not do anything. If it comes back that we do not want marriage equality, then it's not like they will do something

But waiting until 2019 seems extremely painful. It's such a stain on our reputation that a country so advanced could be so unbelievably ignorant and discriminatory. And do not get me started on the funding for anti-equality advertisements. All I'm going to say about that is that it is absolutely disgusting that my money is going towards financing hate and flat out stupidity.

I just don't know what is going to happen

Originally posted by CroNich

The only positive that will come from this, if it goes ahead, will be the uproar in response the anti-gay campaign, which will hopefully wither away at the supporters of Same Sex Marriage. I can see a lot of these homophobic adverts being treated as jokes and turned into memes amongst the majority of young Australians. The LBTQI+ community is a very loud and proud community so whatever the anti-gay bigots hit us with, we will hit back 10x harder.

Originally posted by LuLuDrops

It's dead. Bill Shorten will tell Labor members to vote no. The smaller parties also said no. On top of that, a gay Liberal Senator threatened to cross sides and vote no as well.

Liberals were already struggling to get the numbers in the Senate and this was the death knell.

Originally posted by Wonderland

Lowkey happy tbh

Only problem is now Australia won't get marriage equality until 2019? Tragic

Originally posted by Harrier

Although the plebiscite is far from the best option, I kinda wish Labor & the Greens would let it happen because we won't have gay marriage until at least 2019 with out it, and that's damn embarrassing We know from polling that around of 70% of Australians support gay marriage, lets just get it over and done with

Originally posted by LuLuDrops

There seemed to be disagreement within the Liberals over it too. Some didn't like that money would be allocated to the NO campaign and people like Lyle Shelton There were also concerns if hate speech laws would be lifted (Lyle's dream) and the sewage that people would spew openly if they were suspended. If only your High Court just allowed it

Originally posted by LuLuDrops

Yeah Turnbull said this or nothing Good sis better be careful though, his popularity has tanked since he doubled down on it and accused Labor of spreading hatred for condemning the plebiscite Also, it turns out this bill had exemptions for anti-discrimination laws that would allow people to refuse services to gays Kim Davis teas, even members of his own party thought that was tew much. Anyone smell another leadership spill?