Tasmanian supporters of a failed High Court action to scrap the postal plebiscite say they will turn their energies towards rallying the state’s community towards a ‘yes’ vote.
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The action was, in part, brought by Tasmanian independent MHR Andrew Wilkie, Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays spokeswoman Shelley Argent, and Felicity Marlowe, with the argument that the plebiscite was unlawful.
But their arguments, including that it was improper for the government to allocate $122 million to the Australian Bureau of Statistics to run the plebiscite, were rejected.
This now means ballots will be mailed out to millions of households next week as scheduled.
Ballots need to be returned with responses by October 27 with a result expected to be announced on November 15.
Denison independent MHR Andrew Wilkie said he would be encouraging Tasmanians to vote yes in October.
"The decision today doesn't change the fact that this is bad government policy," he said.
"To be spending the money the way they are is out of step at least with community expectations about how they should govern the country.”
Tasmanians United for Marriage Equality spokesman, Rodney Croome, said the High Court’s decision was disappointing.
"There are many in the LGBTI community who will be feeling anxious about the prospect of a deeply personal campaign,” he said.
"But it’s time to rally and to dedicate all of the resources at our disposal to ensure the majority of Australians vote ‘yes’ for marriage equality.
"We want to show the nation that Tasmanians support the values of fairness and equality.”
Tasmanian Liberal Senator Jonathon Duniam said there was now an opportunity for all Tasmanians to have their say.
“Australians have a proud record of participating in civilised public debates, and I expect this debate will be now different,” he said.
Tasmanian Liberal Senator Eric Abetz said he was pleased the case, which had been brought by “self-appointed elites”, had been thrown out.
“Democracy is an infinite good and political elites should never seek to stand in the way of the people having their say,” he said.
Tasmanian Senator Jacqui Lambie said while she didn’t support the postal plebiscite, it was the only option that people had before them.
“I never supported a postal survey – not because it’s unconstitutional, but because it’s dumb,” she said.
A marriage equality rally will be held in Hobart on Parliament lawns at midday on Saturday.
There will be a walk from Princes Square in Launceston from 10:45am on the same day.
