Party leaders back equality
PREMIER Annastacia Palaszczuk has slapped down suggestions businesses could decide for themselves whether or not to discriminate against same-sex couples wanting services for their weddings.
“We have anti-discrimination laws that should be abided by and it is absolutely imperative now that this decision has been made that everyone respects the decision, because we believe in equality,” she said.
Ms Palaszczuk said she believed Queenslanders would embrace the vote outcome.
“We live in a progressive modern state and a progressive modern nation and I firmly believe people across this state will embrace the nation’s decision,” she said.
“I think people are going to be lining up to make cakes.”
Ms Palaszczuk called on Malcolm Turnbull and Bill Shorten to immediately enshrine in law Australia’s support for same-sex marriage.
“What I would call on the Prime Minister and the Opposition Leader to do is for the Prime Minister to introduce this bill into the House of Representatives seconded by the Opposition Leader,” she said.
LNP leader Tim Nicholls said he voted yes and welcomed the survey result, but it was up to his federal colleagues in Canberra to take the next step on same-sex marriage law.
He attempted to dodge questions on where the vote results were good for Queensland, saying it was up to businesses whether or not they wanted to serve gay couples.
“The people who want to buy those cakes and buy those flowers will make a decision about where they can best go to get the services they want,” he said.