Senator DI NATALE (Victoria—Leader of the Australian Greens) (13:05): There is no greater supporter of marriage equality in the Australian Parliament than the Australian Greens. Long before it became a popular cause, it was the Australian Greens that were leading the charge on marriage equality— Opposition senators interjecting— Senator DI NATALE: long before 'we' sniffed the political breeze and thought, 'Yeah, we can support this,' we supported it when we knew it was right. And that is why every single MP, every time, in any state parliament, and in every federal parliament, of the Australian Greens have voted for marriage equality. We are so committed to this issue—as, clearly, is the Australian Labor Party—that we are proposing to the Australian Labor Party that we, on Thursday, during private senators' time, back in this reform. If this is just crocodile tears, if this is some political tactic, if this is simply some opportunity to play wedge politics with an issue as serious as ending prejudice in marriage once and for all, then the Australian Labor Party will support ensuring that we bring in this debate on Thursday during private senators' time—during their private senators' time. If this is not just some political tactic in an effort to overturn a democratic reform—incidentally a reform that they have supported for many years, and, in fact, that many of their own side continue to support—then we will support any endeavour from the Australian Labor Party to bring this on for a vote. In fact, we will go further. You have our unconditional support right now, this afternoon, to ensure that, when we vote for the piece of legislation that we will be debating on Thursday, marriage equality takes precedence over everything else. The decision is now yours, Senator Wong, Senator Dastyari and Senator Cameron— The PRESIDENT: Through the chair, Senator Di Natale. Senator DI NATALE: to ensure that on Thursday we have the opportunity to ensure that we get marriage equality legislation through the Senate. It can be done this Thursday. The question is now for you, Senator Wong. Will you ensure that we get legislation through this parliament on Thursday in the time that you have allotted on an issue that we have all collectively as a community fought so long and hard for? Will you ensure it sees passage through this parliament? Will you, through your action, fuel a vote on Thursday to ensure that we end discrimination on marriage once and for all? The question now is: is this just some sneaky political tactic in an effort to overturn a democratic reform that you, yourself, are on the record as supporting? Is that what this is about? Are you playing wedge politics with an issue? Because, if you are not, let us do it on Thursday. Let us ensure the passage of legislation this week. We can get it done. I think the saddest thing— Opposition senators interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Order on my left! Senator Ian Macdonald: Mr President, I rise on a point of order. I am trying to listen to this debate and I seriously cannot hear Senator Di Natale because there are not only Labor people on that side but also Labor people on this side not in their seats who are yelling and stopping me from hearing this discussion. Senator Wong: Mr President, on the point of order: I acknowledge Senator Macdonald's interjection. Those of us who keep being gagged are trying to make our voices heard. What I would say is that, given Senator Di Natale is speaking to me, I hope you will allow me the opportunity to respond. The PRESIDENT: That is not a point of order. Before I call Senator Di Natale— Senator Dastyari interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Senator Dastyari, that is disorderly. Before I call Senator Di Natale, I remind all senators that interjections are disorderly. I know it is a tense moment, but we need to just have a bit of decorum and a bit of order and allow the speakers to be heard. Senator Di Natale, you have the call. Senator DI NATALE: I think the saddest thing that could happen with the issue of marriage equality is that a wedge be driven between those advocates who support marriage equality. It does not have to be that way. What we can have now is a commitment from the Labor Party to ensure that on Thursday in private senators' time this legislation will be brought on for debate. If they are not prepared to do that, these are crocodile tears. It is cynical wedge politics. This is too important an issue to be used as a political football. Those people who have supported this reform now for decades would be disgusted if this was simply some cheap political tactic. (Time expired)