Sending ballots by mail will cost hundreds of millions of Australian dollars to goverment (Daily Telegraph)
In recent days, as the date for the start of the national survey on same-sex marriage approaches, the controversy over the survey is growing.
During a visit to Prime Minister Tan Bao this morning, radio host Rasarno repeatedly criticized Tan Bao about the investigation, saying that his decision to let people vote on same-sex marriage "will make those who oppose homosexuality bolder." Say something bad. " The union also said it was concerned that postmen would face psychological pressure when delivering the questionnaire because the survey did not conform to their beliefs. Former Supreme Court Justice Kirby (Michael Kirby), who is itself gay, said the investigation was "unconventional" and "unacceptable", "in Australia`s constitutional system, (constitutional arrangements,." It refers to the restriction and distribution of goverment power and the establishment and operation of goverment.
So, what exactly is this national investigation of same-sex marriage? How should the public participate? How will it affect same-sex marriage in Australia? This newspaper synthesizes the Australian Broadcasting Corporation and the Australian Bureau of Statistics official website information, gives the answer to the above question.
When do you attend? Who`s coming?
The National Survey of same-sex Marriage, officially known as the Australian Marriage Act Post Survey (Australian Marriage Law Postal Survey), has only one question on the questionnaire: should the law be reformed to allow same-sex couples to marry?
This is a voluntary survey, carried out by mail. The questionnaire, which began on Sept. 12, was sent to Australian citizens registered on the federal voter list (Commonwealth Electoral Roll) by Aug. 24. But the results are not legal in themselves; they are just opinion polls.
The Australian Bureau of Statistics, which is responsible for the survey, said it hoped the public would return the completed questionnaire by October 27. After 6 p.m. on Nov. 7, the Bureau would no longer receive the questionnaire sent back by the public. The final findings will be released on Nov. 15.
Why launch a national investigation?
The national survey, according to goverment`s plan, was supposed to be a mandatory referendum on the (plebiscite).
For a referendum to take place, it must first be approved by Parliament under the Electoral Act and organized by the Australian Election Commission, the (Australian Electoral Commission). State-level referendums are not uncommon in Australian history, but as of October 31, 2014, there were only three nationwide referendums-the first two during World War I, on military recruitment, and the third, in 1977, on the choice of a national anthem.
Hundreds of people gathered in Sydney and Melbourne to support gay marriage proposals. (AP Photo)
In mid-2015, then-Prime Minister Albert Abbott promised a referendum on same-sex marriage. To fulfil that promise, Tan introduced the 2016 referendum (same-sex marriage) bill to Congress last year, but the bill was vetoed by the Senate twice. As a result, the goverment had to back off, and instead asked the Bureau of Statistics, (Australian Bureau of Statistics), to conduct a national survey on a voluntary basis.
So while almost all Australian media refer to the investigation as a referendum, it is not strictly true-a mandatory vote on matters unrelated to the constitution (the constitution-related vote is called a referendum on the constitution). Referendum). In English However, as with the national survey, the results of the referendum have no legal effect and are for reference only, and matters still need to be passed by Parliament.
Why are you accused of being "unconventional"?
Constitutional experts say the national investigation into same-sex marriage is "unconventional." As former Supreme Court Judge Kirby said.
First, Australia`s parliament does not normally consult the general public on specific matters through a formal investigation when it legislates within its powers. The reform of the marriage law is not outside the power of Congress.
Second, Congress did not express its support for the national investigation of same-sex marriage.
Finally, similar national surveys or votes are normally handled by the Election Commission, but this time by the Bureau of Statistics. The Bureau of Statistics, which has never been in charge of a national poll before, should be responsible for collecting and analysing statistical information, such as censuses.
And that`s why, in order to make the Bureau of Statistics work for good reason, Finance Minister Mosuisse (Scott Morrison) specifically ordered: "collect statistical information on their (voters) view on whether the law should be reformed to allow same-sex couples to marry". To make the investigation reasonable.
Who will pay for hundreds of millions of dollars?
As Congress did not legislate to support the national investigation, and therefore did not allocate funds, the goverment had to find its own funds.
Under the appropriation Act, the (Appropriation Acts), Finance Secretary has the right to use up to A $295 million in certain circumstances. Finance Secretary Coleman (Mathias Cormann) said the money was enough to cover the A $ one hundred and twenty one million nine hundred and ninety nine thousand nine hundred and ninety nine cost of the national survey.
However, not all members of Parliament accepted the goverment`s approach. Many members questioned whether goverment had the right to allocate funds and whether the Bureau of Statistics had the power to conduct an investigation. They have brought the goverment to the Supreme Court, which will not start the investigation on Sept. 12 unless the court approves it on Sept. 5 and 6.
(Professor Williams), a Williams professor at the University of New South Wales, said the same-sex marriage would once again be "deadlocked" once the court found the investigation illegal. "We will go back to the beginning. Goverment will be divided into two parties, one wants a referendum, the other wants to vote in Congress."
