Gay Dolphins Observed Off Coast of Australia in Advance of Possible

>>135888505
4. Bill goes to selection committee

Things are trickier in the House, where the government-controlled selection committee, chaired by Speaker Tony Smith, decides which bills come up for debate.

If Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull holds firm, the committee won't allow a same-sex marriage bill to be debated, but there is another way: to interrupt the usual business of the chamber.

5. Liberals cross the floor

Suspending the standing orders requires an absolute majority of 76 out of 150 votes. Labor starts with 68 (Kate Ellis is on maternity leave), plus the presumed support of Adam Bandt, Andrew Wilkie, Rebekah Sharkie and Cathy McGowan.

To get to 76, four Liberals would need to cross the floor. Likely contenders are thought to be Mr Zimmerman, Trevor Evans, Tim Wilson and Warren Entsch, but it's possible more would be willing.

6. Bill passes the lower house

Once it comes to a vote, marriage equality should easily pass the lower house. In 2015, former prime minister Tony Abbott said the previous term of Parliament was the last one in which Liberals would be bound to vote against same-sex marriage. In other words, they now have a conscience vote.

Liberal MP Jason Wood this week said he would vote "Yes", in line with his conscience if standing orders were suspended - and expected many colleagues to do the same.

>>135888505
bump