Tony Abbott bombarded with gay wedding invitations
Couples put pressure on the Australian PM as cross-party vote on marriage equality looms
Same-sex couples in Australia are bombarding Prime Minister Tony Abbott with wedding invitations, as he decides whether his party can have a free vote on marriage equality.
Abbott has long opposed same-sex marriage, but many within his party have indicated that they would back the bill if they are allowed to vote with their consciences later this month.
The website InviteTony is piling the pressure on Abbott by allowing couples across the country to invite the leader to their wedding celebrations.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
"We already have the will of the people," say campaigners. "All we need now is the action of our politicians. Many of them are on board. But there are some who still need convincing - most notably Tony himself."
Pink News notes that "so far the Prime Minister's schedule looks very busy," with over 60 wedding invitations already sent out.
Justine Moss and Romy Calati are among those who have invited Abbott. They have a seven-year-old son Edmund, but the state does not recognise them as legal partners.
"I'm not too concerned if he [Abbott] doesn't believe in same-sex marriage, but he should be allowing his party to have a conscience vote," said Moss. "I want to see change for Edmund. So he sees that our family is no different to any other family. He is just as important with two mothers as he is would be with a mother and a father."
Last month, opposition leader Bill Shorten accused the leader of standing in the way of progress and equality by not allowing a conscience vote.
"Every day that Tony Abbott denies his MPs a free vote, he is denying millions of Australians a fundamental right [to marriage]," he told The Guardian.
Abbott's own sister, who is gay and wants to get married, has also criticised him for failing the LGBT community.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Outer Hebrides: a top travel destination
The Week Recommends Discover 'unspoiled beauty' of the Western Isles
By Tess Foley-Cox Published
-
The Biltmore Mayfair review: a quintessential slice of luxury London
The Week Recommends This swanky retreat in Grosvenor Square blends old-world glamour with modern comforts
By Caroline Dolby Published
-
Is ChatGPT's new search engine OpenAI's Google 'killer'?
Talking Point There's a new AI-backed search engine in town. But can it stand up to Google's decades-long hold on internet searches?
By Theara Coleman, The Week US Published
-
Has the Taliban banned women from speaking?
Today's Big Question 'Rambling' message about 'bizarre' restriction joins series of recent decrees that amount to silencing of Afghanistan's women
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Cuba's energy crisis
The Explainer Already beset by a host of issues, the island nation is struggling with nationwide blackouts
By Rebekah Evans, The Week UK Published
-
Putin's fixation with shamans
Under the Radar Secretive Russian leader, said to be fascinated with occult and pagan rituals, allegedly asked for blessing over nuclear weapons
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Chimpanzees are dying of human diseases
Under the radar Great apes are vulnerable to human pathogens thanks to genetic similarity, increased contact and no immunity
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Deaths of Jesse Baird and Luke Davies hang over Sydney's Mardi Gras
The Explainer Police officer, the former partner of TV presenter victim, charged with two counts of murder after turning himself in
By Austin Chen, The Week UK Published
-
Quiz of The Week: 24 February - 1 March
Puzzles and Quizzes Have you been paying attention to The Week's news?
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Will mounting discontent affect Iran election?
Today's Big Question Low turnout is expected in poll seen as crucial test for Tehran's leadership
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Sweden clears final NATO hurdle with Hungary vote
Speed Read Hungary's parliament overwhelmingly approved Sweden's accession to NATO
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published