Will There Be a Postal Plebiscite for Marriage Equality?

The prospect of a plebiscite for same-sex marriage has reared its head once more, though, in a new form. A mail-in form.

Immigration Minister Peter Dutton has confirmed a report by Fairfax Media saying he and some conservative colleagues are looking to re-introduce the plebiscite via postal vote.

Speaking to 2GB radio, (the increasingly influential) Dutton said this was a way of maintaining the government’s election promise.

"The plebiscite was a very clear and deliberate proposal within our election promise and we shouldn't break that promise,” he added.

It should be noted Dutton opposes same-sex marriage, and the original Fairfax report suggested he feels it “would be an ongoing distraction". Fairfax also reports that Dutton said privately he sees same-sex marriage as “inevitable” in Australia, and would prefer to see “maximum protections for religious freedom in any legislation,” which would be unlikely under a Labor government.

Last week, Dutton chided a number of Australian CEOs would spoke out in favour of same-sex marriage, telling them to “stick to their knitting”.

Nonetheless, a postal vote—cheaper than the alternative—is now being floated by the immigration minister.

There is concern among marriage equality advocates that a non-compulsory postal vote would depress turn-out among those who support same-sex marriage, but not passionately so.

It’s also believed young people might be less inclined to vote by post.

ACT Electoral Commissioner Phillip Green said recently that “the current postal service is not meeting the requirements for long distance postal voting” and that “a significant number of electors were disenfranchised in 2016 as a result of their residency in an overseas location.”

For more on the previously proposed plebiscite, read this handy explainer.

Photo: Facebook (Australian Marriage Equality)