Vote on same-sex union scrapped in Australia

The opposition Labor Party in Australia announced on Monday that it will not back Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull’s plan to hold a nationwide poll on whether to legalize same-sex unions in the country. The opposition argues that the country’s parliament should legislate on the subject rather than holding a plebiscite, which would not only be a waste of money but could also trigger a “wave of homophobia.”

“Why should gay Australians be subjected to a different law-making process than any other Australians?” asked Labor leader Bill Shorten, reports Reuters. The development comes as a big blow to Turnbull, whose popularity has seen a steep slump as many feel that the prime minister has failed to deliver on his progressive promises.

Advocates for gay rights also believe that subjecting the issue to public debate could have a negative impact in legalizing same-sex unions and may also lead to divisive, homophobic rhetoric.

Turnbull earlier said that if the lawmakers reject the proposal to hold a vote, the issue of same-sex marriage will be raised in the parliament only after the national election due in 2019. Recent opinion polls show that about 60-70 percent of Australians support legalizing gay marriage, writes the BBC.