Greens concern over gay marriage bill push

Submitted by news on Mon, Aug 20, 2012 - 10:40am
The Australian Greens are concerned the government may be attempting to force an early vote on a gay marriage bill in a bid to get it off the political agenda.

The House of Representatives is set to debate the Marriage Amendment Bill 2012 for half an hour tonight. Greens MP Adam Bandt is worried about the move. He said he is concerned about pushing an early vote so Tony Abbott won’t be brought under any more pressure to grant a conscience vote. Mr Bandt believes Prime Minister Julia Gillard needed to show leadership and change her position on the issue to make sure she’s not on the "wrong side of history".