Alex Moores

The statistics from polling done in Australia nationally consistently show that between 60% and 70% of Australians want marriage equality. That statistic gets a lot higher if you only ask the people that are actually being discriminated against as opposed to the people upon which the marital status of the LGBTI community has no bearing. This statistic is an overwhelming majority, has been consistent for the past five years, and has been achieved through polls commissioned and run by myriad organisations and media outlets.

Australian Electoral Commission modelling has shown that a standalone plebiscite on marriage equality would cost taxpayers between $122 and $159 million. Other sources show that the figure would be a lot higher. If a plebiscite were held alongside a general federal election, the cost would be lower (approximately $44 million) as it only need cover the additional temporary staff, ballot paper and education and promotion materials.

To be charitable to the government, this campaign assumes the lowest cost (putting aside the fact that there shouldn't be any cost, the next federal election is too long for an equality issue like this anyway, and the low cost is not the most likely outcome given this governent's attitude). So to show support for the LGBTI community, this campaign asks the Australian people to cast two votes: one with your plebscite (if it's got to happen, let's make it count) and one with your financial support to help LGBTI couples have the weddings they've been denied for so long.

It is not expected that the funding target will be reached, but this campaign is about sending a very public message that the Australian people don't want a staggering amount of taxpayer dollars going to a non-binding plebiscite on an issue that should be resolved by elected representatives in the normal course of parliamentary business.

In this case, the issue that the government is taking to plebiscite is one that has been surveyed, canvassed, polled and investigated with consistent results, or certainly as consistent as will be achieved by a non-binding question put to a lot of Australians who may not care one way or the other. Let the results we have be the answer, and let the vote of our parliamentarians be cast on this basis.

However, as the government seem determined to spend all this money regardless, and as some of this money will be coming from the pockets of LGBTI couples that will hopefully be planning weddings soon, by pledging to this campaign you will be giving a little bit back to them.

If the target is reached, the funds will be used to subsidise every wedding of LGBTI couples that apply held in the next two years, to a specifc cap per wedding (exact details to be communicated following the campaign's success). If the target is not reached, the result will be that LGBTI couples will know (if they don't already) without being told by an expensive plebiscite that the Australian people support their right to get married and have a wedding.

Any resulting funds left over after all payments are made will be donated to other groups in the community could have used the support of the plebiscite money, including those suffering from domestic violence or abuse, those needing support with drug/alcohol/gambling addiction, and the homeless.

There are no rewards under this Pozible campaign, apologies, but every cent needs to go to deserving people.

The amount sought is to reflect the inverse of the amount wasted on the plebiscite, and the figure is very conservative compared to what the total cost may be. The amount selected is approximately $2 for every person in Australia. By accounting for children who don't have an income stream separate from their parents, we can say that it's approximately $10 per household. The main challenge to this campaign is apathy.

Being a supporter of gay rights and marriage equality doesn't have any challenges. Further, the marital status of two people who love each other shouldn't challenge anyone either. If you want to know about challenges, speak to an LGBTI person who isn't considered equal by the government that represents them.