Former Orange composer Tim Hansen has called for equality for all in the marriage equality debate.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Mr Hansen, who now lives in Sydney, said the same-sex marriage debate, which will now likely be taken to a public postal vote plebiscite from September 12, was unfair to people like himself who supported legalising gay marriage.
“I don’t vote on straight people’s relationships,” he said.
Mr Hansen said that while he was opposed to a plebiscite he would vote yes, for same-sex marriage, if it was held.
Mr Hansen said the government should make a decision without a public vote.
“People are kidding themselves if they say it is not an issue,” he said.
“The government is literally elected to debate these kinds of things and make a decision on it.
“It’s such an archaic way of checking people’s opinion.”
HAVE YOUR SAY
He said there were many other issues that did not go to public votes.
Mr Hansen also said it was unfair that the result of a plebiscite would not be binding on MPs.
If a majority says yes, government MPs will be given a free vote on the issue in parliament but if the majority says no, a free vote will not be made available to them.
He said he was also concerned that the process gave homophobic people a platform to discriminate against gay people.
Central West advocate for same-sex marriage Andy Wheeler said he was dismayed at the lack of action by political leaders.
“The million-dollar question for those who are against gay marriage is ‘how does it affect you?’,” he said.
Calare MP Andrew Gee’s office was contacted for comment but has not responded.