By JOLENE OGLE
MEMBER for Noosa Glen Elmes said he would vote in favour of restoring civil unions in Queensland after Liberal National Party MPs were granted a free vote on the issue.
The decision was made at a party room meeting on Monday, and will now allow MPs to decide for themselves whether to vote for or against the Relationships (Civil Partnerships) and Other Acts Amendment Bill 2015.
The Bill is a proposal by the Palaszczuk Government to restore state-sanctioned civil partnership ceremonies for straight and same-sex couples with debate expected to take place in State Parliament next week.
Mr Elmes said he welcomed the decision to provide a free vote for members of the party when deciding the outcome of the Bill.
“During the time Civil Unions have been available in Queensland, 1227 same-sex civil unions took place,” Mr Elmes said.
“While during the same period, 6856 heterosexual unions were conducted. I will be voting in favour of the legislation.”
Local same-sex marriage advocate Robin Bristow said the Noosa LGBTI community welcomed the “positive news” that Mr Elmes would be voting in favour of the Bill, but added they couldn’t forget he was part of the government that reversed the “rights for equality”.
“It is not easy for us to forget (Mr Elmes) was part of the Newman Government cabinet that removed these rights just a few weeks of them coming into power (in 2012) by using emergency legislation,” Mr Bristow said.
“We are glad to see Mr Elmes will be making amends having changed his views of this matter. We also wish to thank the Palaszczuk Government for keeping their election promise on this matter.”
In September this year, Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk, who will be in Noosa on Saturday (28 November) for the ALP black and white gala ball, said every Queensland couple no matter what their gender deserved the right to hold a ceremony to mark their legal partnerships.
Mr Bristow accused Mr Elmes of “sitting on the fence” and said he hoped Mr Elmes would “finally come out in support of marriage equality”.
