After a long battle, it seems that the much-debated plebiscite on marriage equality is dead in the water in Australia, after the Labor Party announced they will not support the measure. Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull’s conservative coalition government needed the Labor Party’s support to pass the legislation.
The Labor Party, which supports same-sex marriage, argues that the vote should be taken in Parliament. Most LGBT+ activists agree, fearing an aggressive campaign could sway the non-binding plebiscite, despite polls showing that most Australians support marriage equality.
LGBT+ activists must now work to ensure that a vote will take place in Parliament during the current three-year term.