Law Society of Tasmania objects to same-sex marriage plebiscite

MARRIAGE equality should not be a subject for popular vote, says the Law Society of Tasmania.

The Law Society of Tasmania has announced it is opposed to a same-sex marriage plebiscite.

MARRIAGE equality should not be a subject for popular vote, says the Law Society of Tasmania.

The Society has announced it is opposed to a same-sex marriage plebiscite, instead throwing its support behind the matter being dealt with by way of a free vote in Parliament.

President Matthew Verney called on the Government to abandon the planned plebiscite and allow Parliament to determine the matter.

“It is dangerous to subject to the whim of popular vote the rights of minorities,” Mr Verney said.

“Regardless of popularity, people are either equal or not.”

The Law Society supports marriage equality on the basis that equality regarding marriage is a rule of law issue.

The Federal Government’s proposal for a plebiscite on gay marriage is deeply unpopular among the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community, arguing it will be hurtful and wasteful.

Federal Labor Leader Bill Shorten is also opposed to a plebiscite because of its potential to cause social harm.

Mr Verney said Parliament had the power to decide the matter, as it did when the Menzies Government introduced the Marriage Act and when the Howard Government changed the definition of marriage in 2004.

Originally published as Law Society of Tasmania objects to same-sex marriage plebiscite