1. Turnbull says that a conscience vote on gay marriage is “likely”
Minister for Communication Malcolm Turnbull has said that is it “likely” the Coalition Government will hold a conscience vote on gay marriage before the next election, however that he is unsure as to whether it will be successful.
Speaking to Sky News this morning, Turnbull said: “People of the same sex can get married in Auckland and Wellington, Toronto and Ottawa and Vancouver, in New York and Los Angeles, and Baltimore, in Cape Town, but not Australia. It does start to look as if we’re the ones out of step.”
In related news, Deputy Opposition Leader Tanya Plibersek has announced that she will introduce a private member’s bill to legislate for same-sex marriage. According to Fairfax Media, Plibersek will introduce the bill on the condition that Prime Minister Tony Abbott allows his MPs a conscience vote.
Plibersek is also reportedly looking for a Liberal member to co-sponsor the bill, although Turnbull has denied possible involvement due to his position as a member of the cabinet.
The move follows Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young, who has introduced a private member’s bill into the Senate.
2. NSW is the country’s worst state for alcohol-related harm.
The National Alliance for Action on Alcohol has released their first ever scorecards, which grade Australian governments on alcohol-related harm minimisation strategies, including restrictions on alcohol advertising and transparent policing policies.
The governments were ranked as follows: