Calls for a boycott could see same-sex marriage vote fail

TONY Abbott and his sister are on opposite sides of the same-sex marriage vote, and the debate has really hit home.

OPINION

IN AN ideal world, Australians wouldn’t be considering the merits of same-sex marriage and whether they should be supporting something many consider a fundamental human right.

But in the real world, we are doing exactly that.

Court challenges notwithstanding, the vote on same-sex marriage will be carried out via a postal ballot this year.

For many, it’s not the best way to bring about this change and they are disappointed it won’t be changed by a parliamentary vote, which could sidestep the need for a potentially ugly debate among the community.

But there are concerns that calls for a boycott of the postal vote will be even more damaging.

Former High Court judge Justice Michael Kirby said this morning he would not participate in the postal vote and predicted a high number of gay and lesbian voters would boycott it.

He described the process as a “Mickey Mouse” proposal that disrespected the Australian people and discriminated against marginalised voters.

He was not alone with others on social media suggesting they would also boycott the vote.

marriage equality will happen, and I will not be doing the plebiscite. I will never petition for my right to be treated as others https://t.co/hxcjM5Uvhi

— Rick Morton (@SquigglyRick) August 9, 2017

Friendly reminder that boycotting the postal plebiscite is an option. Don't submit to this farce; deprive it of legitimacy #marriageequality

— Kemal Atlay (@kemal_atlay) August 9, 2017

The Greens have added further fuel to the fire with the Greens talking to marriage equality advocates about a possible boycott.

But the risk with a boycott is that this could see the “no” vote succeed and this could ruin any chances of the Turnbull Government delivering the reform.

Some point out it may also undermine any mandate for Labor to introduce the change next term as it would be running on a platform of changing marriage laws a majority of Australians do not support.

The debate is already getting personal and vote “Yes” supporter Christine Forster, who is also the sister of former prime minister and vocal vote “No” supporter Tony Abbott, has spoken about how damaging it has been to her relationship with her brother, adding that she hopes it survives.

“The reality is, it does (hurt),” Forster told Women’s Agenda today.

“When he (Tony Abbott) comes out with something like “Vote no” on the plebiscite and push back against this, it does actually impact me.

“It trivialises and belittles an issue that is deeply personal and extremely important to me. He knows that it’s very important to me and it really hurts.”

In a separate interview with 2GB, Forster said she also wasn’t happy about Mr Abbott using her previous “traumatic” history against her.

“She joked years ago that she’d just got herself out of one marriage, why would she be rushing into another one,” Mr Abbott told 2GB yesterday.

Forster said: “You know, it’s hurtful to hear those private conversations being aired in public for the purposes of scoring a political point, and I wish he hadn’t done that.”

While the debate threatens to tear their relationship apart, Forster, who is openly gay, is still urging people not to boycott.

“It’s so important that everyone participates if the plebiscite goes ahead,” she said in a tweet. “That would not be the time for silent protest”.

Labor leader Bill Shorten also announced in a stinging speech today that he would supporting the “Yes” campaign and would not be calling for a boycott of the plebiscite.

“The opponents of marriage equality have set this process up to fail. But we cannot let illegitimate tactics deter us and sit on the sidelines,” he said during a speech in Parliament.

“I understand the sense of frustration and betrayal by the parliament for LGBTI, but maintain your hope and your enthusiasm.

“Voting yes is not about endorsing this process, it is about refusing to walk past our fellow Australians when they need us.”

Many others on social media echoed their remarks.

Here's what happens when you boycott even stupid plebiscites: the bad guys win. And they entrench themselves with that victory.#auspol

— Van Badham (@vanbadham) August 9, 2017

Bad idea: the postal vote. Worse idea: boycotting it. Has any nation ever stuffed up something so simple, so thoroughly? #marriagequality

— richard glover (@rgloveroz) August 10, 2017

I understand the urge to boycott, but honestly I think it will just give the government more reason to not give us marriage equality

— Lauren Ingram (@laureningram) August 9, 2017

Okay. I understand those who want/plan to boycott the postal plebiscite.
However.
Hear me out here.

Trump won because people boycotted.

— THANK YOU JOBE! ❤️🖤 (@BornABomber) August 9, 2017

In a voluntary postal vote - a boycott reads as apathy. Look what non voting gave the US and Britain - the wishes of the vocal conservative

— Lolly D (@funnysmells) August 10, 2017

The ballot on same-sex marriage was given the go-ahead after Labor, the Greens and Nick Xenophon Team blocked a compulsory plebiscite this week.

Ballot papers are due to hit mailboxes from September 12 and the final result should be known by November 15.

RELATED: Register to vote in same-sex marriage plebiscite.

Tony Abbott came up with the compulsory plebiscite idea as a compromise at a meeting - some Liberal colleagues described as an “ambush” in 2015 - just before he lost the leadership to Malcolm Turnbull.

Turnbull was then obliged to stick to the plan, despite having strong reservations about it, if he was to keep the Nationals in the coalition and hold onto his job.

His Cabinet minister Peter Dutton has since come up with a Plan B postal ballot and colleague Mathias Cormann found a way to design and pay for it without recourse to the parliament.

Now it looks like Australians will be paying $122 million to fund the postal vote whether we like it or not — so perhaps we should make it count?

— With AAP

Supporters of marriage equality are considering whether to boycott the postal vote. Picture: Peter Parks/AFP