Federal MP Andrew Wilkie has today shown that opposition to a plebiscite or postal vote on same-sex marriage has nothing to do with saving $122 million, and everything to do with thwarting the establishment of a popular mandate on an issue which parliament has no popular mandate to decide:
From The Australian:
“The first High Court challenge to the postal vote on same-sex marriage has been launched in a bid to prevent ballot papers being mailed to Australians next month, arguing Malcolm Turnbull’s new plan breaches the constitution.
“Marriage equality advocate Rodney Croome said the challenge would be filed in the High Court as soon as Wednesday afternoon to have the postal vote rejected, in the hope of ensuring a conscience vote in parliament within weeks.
“The litigants are Tasmanian independent MP Andrew Wilkie, Shelley Argent of the Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays and lesbian mother Felicity Marlowe, backed by lawyers from the Public Interest Advocacy Centre.
“Mr Croome said the advice from barrister Ron Merkel QC, who will argue the case in the High Court, was that the postal vote could breach the remit of the Australian Bureau of Statistics to gather facts and figures, while also being vulnerable to challenge because there is no clear authority for the $122 million spending on the ballot.”
Sources inform The XYZ that costs for the High Court challenge are expected to be ‘in the ballpark’ of $122 million.
When asked for comment, Mr Wilkie refused to say anything regarding his decision, but did mention off the record that he thought Chairman Mao did some very good things for China. Sarah Two-Dads for the Greens simply yelled ‘It’s the current year!” and hung up.
It’s your XYZ.
