I heard the term ‘plebiscite’ for the first time a couple of days ago. I assumed it was a new pop-culture term for an annoying person or something. I have since learned that a ‘plebiscite’ is a nationwide vote used by the government to determine the public’s response to a political question.
The political question in this case being:
“Do you support a change in the law to allow same-sex couples to marry?”
72% of Australians say yes, according to statistics. However, the government is still pushing for a plebiscite which is expected to cost tax-payers at least $160 million. That’s a lot of money to pay for something we already know the answer to.
I can’t help but feel as though there is an underlying agenda here. The way the government chooses to spend tax payer’s money has always been a touchy subject. The choice to spend it on a campaign that we already know the answer to as a result of statistical findings is only going to make people view the question, in all of its entirety, as a negative effect on them because essentially – they are paying for it.
According to the news, $15 million of this will be split between ‘yes’ and ‘no’ campaigns.
A ‘no’ campaign?
It’s bad enough that gay people have to deal with torments about their sexuality from random people with no political stance, let alone from a funded government party that has been organized to openly rally against their sexuality. The financial cost is one thing – the emotional cost is a whole other issue. An increase in depression, anxiety and alcohol abuse amongst LGBTI’s has been a result of referenda debates around marriage equality in other countries. It endorses a platform of hatred and contempt and there is no question about the negative effects it will have on the LGBTI community at large.
What’s worse is that a plebiscite does not bind the government to make a decision that is consistent with the people’s choice as a referendum does. The results have no weight! There is no need for a referendum though, as the definition of marriage in the Constitution – wait for it…includes SAME-SEX marriages! This means, there is no need for the government to spend all of this money, time and negative emotion rallying for or against as they already have the power to legalise same-sex marriage, and – we already have the answer.
#YES
Image from http://www.abc.net.au/news/image/1139024-3×2-940×627.jpg
elleonearth 