The need for referendums on moral questions

It was many years ago, when I was employed as a lobbyist by a Country Liberal Party Northern Territory government, that I suggested to euthanasia advocates that they change the nature of their campaigning from trying to get state parliaments to legalise it to urging politicians to hold referendums on the issue. History shows that I did not get very far but maybe things will change if the same-sex marriage plebiscite is ever held and the vote is in favour as I expect it will be.
MPs hate having to vote on moral issues because they know opponents of change are more likely to change their vote on a single issue than supporters are. Whatever the members might think on the issue, keeping their job is deemed more important. Which is something that perhaps is becoming more understood.
Openly gay Liberal senator Dean Smith questions precedent same-sex marriage public vote sets - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation):
"The Liberal Party's first openly gay federal parliamentarian has questioned the precedent a plebiscite on same-sex marriage could set. Senator Dean Smith, a vocal same-sex marriage supporter, said a public vote on legalising marriage for same-sex couples may open the door to votes on issues such as military deployment or euthanasia. Writing today for Fairfax Media, Senator Smith said such issues were informed by people's moral views and had just as much impact upon people's personal lives as same-sex marriage."

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