Abbott in no rush on gay marriage debate
Tony Abbott has given the strongest signal yet that he will allow a free vote in the Liberal Party room on same-sex marriage, but doesn’t want to be rushed by Labor.
Opposition Leader Bill Shorten on Tuesday made a surprise announcement that he’ll move a marriage equality bill in parliament next Monday, seconded by his deputy, Tanya Plibersek.
Mr Shorten challenged Mr Abbott on Wednesday to allow Liberal MPs a free vote, which would unlock support which was not there in 2012 when the bill last came to parliament and failed.
• Plibersek coy about binding vote on marriage equality
• Labor to introduce bill legalising gay marriage
Mr Abbott, who personally opposes same-sex marriage but senses a change of heart among Australians, said Labor was going about it the wrong way.
“If our parliament were to make a big decision on a matter such as this, it ought to be owned by the parliament and not by any particular party,” he said.
The Prime Minister met Liberal-National MP Warren Entsch, a strong supporter of same-sex marriage, on Monday to discuss progressing the issue by the end of this year.
Liberal MPs have warned Labor’s push for marriage equality will slow efforts to build support within the Coalition. Photo: AAP
But it would only be put on the agenda after the parliament passes key elements of the budget, such as the small business package.
Mr Entsch said he was surprised and disappointed by Labor’s pre-emptive move.
“This is Bill trying to get himself a headline, trying to build up some relevance,” Mr Entsch told the ABC.
“We’ve been quietly working on this to get an orderly bipartisan arrangement … and I think people look at it very cynically.”
Mr Abbott said Liberal MPs would be given a “very full, frank and candid and decent” debate about the issue in the party room.
Warren Entsch is a supporter of marriage equality. Photo: AAP
The Prime Minister acknowledged there were differing views in the Liberal party and within his own family.
The issue needed to be treated with respect, he said.
Independent senator Jacqui Lambie said many people were angry with Mr Shorten’s move.
“Bill Shorten is milking it for everything it’s worth,” she said.
Jacqui Lambie wants a plebiscite on the issue.
Senator Lambie wants a plebiscite on the issue as does fellow independent Glenn Lazarus.
“We should just deal with it and deal with it now,” Senator Lazarus said.
Mr Shorten dismissed suggestions he was being politically opportunistic.
“Politics is about timing and momentum,” he said, adding that the successful Irish referendum on the issue made it timely to act in Australia.
The Greens, who have their own bill, have called for a cross-party meeting to discuss how to progress the issue.
Joe Hockey is still opposed to changing marriage laws. Photo: Getty
Treasurer Joe Hockey and Small Business Minister Bruce Billson on Wednesday said they remained opposed to changing marriage laws.
Mr Billson objects to the use of the term “marriage” for same-sex couples, preferring to call it a “committed life partnership”.
Liberal frontbencher Christopher Pyne said if the same-sex marriage bill were to go ahead properly, it should be moved by a member of one party and seconded by a member of another.
“The parliament should own this debate, down the track,” Mr Pyne told 2GB radio on Wednesday.
Labor frontbencher Anthony Albanese said all members of parliament should have a conscience vote on the issue.
“I don’t care who moves a bill if we get this reform done, which I think Australians are ready for,” Mr Albanese said.
Liberal frontbencher Christopher Pyne said if the same-sex marriage bill were to go ahead properly, it should be moved by a member of one party and seconded by a member of another.
“The parliament should own this debate, down the track,” Mr Pyne told 2GB radio on Wednesday.
Labor frontbencher Anthony Albanese said all members of parliament should have a conscience vote on the issue.
“I don’t care who moves a bill if we get this reform done, which I think Australians are ready for,” Mr Albanese said.
-AAP