Rochelle Roddom wanted to marry her partner of six years Ellen Ferguson, legally, in Australia, in front of loved ones including her elderly grandparents.
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Sadly that dream did not become a reality.
In fact the Rutherford couple has been waiting years to tie the knot and after yesterday’s plebiscite decision can’t see their nuptials happening anytime soon.
They’re not disappointed in Labor’s decision to step away from the same-sex marriage plebiscite. In fact, they applaud it and hope the final say can come down to the people of Australia.
“We’re just going to have to wait a bit longer,” Rochelle said.
During a caucus meeting on Tuesday, Labor MPs finally agreed to block the proposal in the Senate.
The decision casts marriage equality off into the never-never, with the Turnbull government adamant a plebiscite is the only way of achieving reform in this term of parliament.
Opposition leader Bill Shorten said the plebiscite was unnecessary, expensive and had the potential to cause mental health concerns among LGBTI people.
“I don’t think we’re going to see gay marriage legalised in this term of parliament,” Rochelle said.
“We’re going to be behind third world countries as far as being legally married as a gay couple is concerned, which is sad.
“This has come about all because of certain politicians, individuals’ beliefs and religions that are against this.
“If you can actually be classed as a couple with Centrelink, then why can’t you be classed as a married couple here?”
Rochelle said wedding plans were still on the agenda but would only come to life when they were legal in Australia.
“We have a lot of friends who say just go overseas and do it. That’s fine but it won’t be legal when we get back here. We wan’t to know we can marry legally in our country,” Rochelle said.
“I thought I would have been able to marry Ellen with both my grandparents alive and that has not happened. My grandad passed four years ago and my nanna died in April this year.
“The plebiscite would have been a total waste of taxpayers’ money and it should never have come to that. It should be a vote of the people, not the government. Let the normal everyday people have their say. Put it to a referendum. That would be great,” she said.
Even with Labor unified in opposition to the plebiscite, the vote in the Senate will still be close. On the expected numbers, it would be defeated 37 to 35 with senators Cory Bernardi and Lisa Singh overseas, Labor senator Stephen Conroy having resigned and Liberal senator Dean Smith abstaining.
