Same-sex marriage plebiscite to cost Australia 'more than $500 million'
Tony Abbott's same-sex marriage plebiscite could cost the economy up to $525 million and cause major social harm, new research claims.
Accountancy consulting firm PricewaterhouseCoopers Australia estimate the campaign would cost $158 million and cost $280 million in productivity.
"Total economic costs have not been considered before and should be part of the debate on the best way to achieve a resolution to this issue," PwC Australia chief executive Luke Sayers told the ABC.
PwC Australia says the proposal 'will do more harm than good' and cost taxpayers and business far more than ever estimated.
When Malcolm Turnbull came into power six months ago he said he would continue with Mr Abbott's policy of holding a plebiscite on the issue of same-sex marriage instead of a parliamentary vote.
Fairfax reports an extra $66 million would be spent in spearheading the "yes" and "no" arguments.
"The real costs to government, the economy and members of the community to hold a stand-alone plebiscite are more than three times higher than the numbers commonly quoted," Mr Sayers added.
Last week, Labor called on the government to bring on a vote on its marriage equality bill and avoid the need to go to an expensive plebiscite.
Opposition Leader Bill Shorten said there could be a vote on Labor's legislation in the House of Representatives next week, the final sitting week before the budget and possibly the last before an election is called.
"Let's have a conscience vote of our members of Parliament. Why do we need to waste $160 million on a plan devised by the opponents of marriage equality," he told reporters in Tasmania.
The government has promised a national vote on same-sex marriage but it hasn't agreed on when or how.
