Labor is poised to kill the marriage equality plebiscite when federal parliament returns this week – with a final decision of the caucus due on Tuesday. Arriving at the Canberra airport ahead of the new sitting week, Brandis launched a final appeal for Labor to support the plebiscite, saying it was the most immediate mechanism to deliver marriage equality. “If Labor thinks this debate is divisive, why not get it over and done with,” he told reporters in Canberra on Sunday. The Greens have flagged they will move to introduce legislation to the Senate this week that would set up a parliamentary commission of inquiry into the banks. But the tribunal proposal is not expected to be finalised until next March.

Source: The Guardian October 09, 2016 04:52 UTC