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Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull to hold back vote on same-sex marriage, delays plebiscite to 2017

By Maureen Blas | Aug 22, 2016 08:57 AM EDT
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull speaks to the media at Parliament House on July 18, 2016 in Canberra, Australia.
(Photo : Getty Images/Stefan Postles) Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull speaks to the media at Parliament House on July 18, 2016 in Canberra, Australia.

Australia's Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull setbacks his once promise of supporting a vote regarding same-sex marriage which should be held this year. He also announced the postponement of a plebiscite to 2017.

Turnbull once said on the ABC's Q&A program way back in June that the vote will be accommodated "as soon as practicable" after the election. He also mentioned that it will be a "yes" vote for him and will enforce others to do the same, according to Bloomberg.

"The cabinet has not yet made a decision," Kelly O'Dwyer, Australia's minister for revenue and financial services said. "The special minister of state has received very clear and very direct advice that it's not possible to hold it by the end of the year," but "obviously the cabinet will be the ultimate decision-maker on the question and the timing of the plebiscite."

Turnbull is anticipated to announce the new schedule for a plebiscite on the parliamentary sittings' second week that will be held on the September 13 at the Coalition party room.

For the 15 million Australian voters, there is no need to go back to the polls for the second time; however, they will be asked if they approve a law that will allow same-sex marriage in February.

Newly married gay and lesbian couples pose for a photograph at Canberra's Old Parliament House on December 7, 2013. (front L-R) Joel Player and Alan Wright, Samantha Hermes and Hayley Wilson and Ivan Hinton and Chris Teoh. (back L-R) Craig Berry and Ulises Garcia, Narell Majic and Ashleigh Watson and Stephen Dawson and Dennis Littelow.
(Photo : Getty Images/Andrew Taylor) Newly married gay and lesbian couples pose for a photograph at Canberra's Old Parliament House on December 7, 2013. (front L-R) Joel Player and Alan Wright, Samantha Hermes and Hayley Wilson and Ivan Hinton and Chris Teoh. (back L-R) Craig Berry and Ulises Garcia, Narell Majic and Ashleigh Watson and Stephen Dawson and Dennis Littelow.

Amid the election campaign, both Turnbull and Attorney-General George Brandis constantly guarantee they were optimistic of a same-sex marriage ballot at the end of the year. Yet, same-sex marriage antagonists seem to drive for public financing. This could ignite Labor's opposition to a plebiscite and possibly agitate it, The Daily Telegraph reported.

The destiny of the same-sex marriage law could be agreed upon by Parliament and not by a betrothed plebiscite if Labor leader Bill Shorten can persuade Liberal MPs to carry "rainbow' rebellion.

For the plebiscite to proceed, both House of Representatives and the Senate need to approve it. Member of the Parliament must answer to Parliament to officially approve the decision, the verge where Coalition opponents could hinder a "yes" vote.

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