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Same-sex marriage: Pyne takes apparent swipe at leaking of talk with Abbott Pyne takes swipe at leaking of talk with Abbott about marriage equality
(35 minutes later)
One of Tony Abbott’s most senior ministers, Christopher Pyne, has said he will not disclose the contents of his private discussions with the prime minister “because that would make it hard for us to have a trusting relationship”.One of Tony Abbott’s most senior ministers, Christopher Pyne, has said he will not disclose the contents of his private discussions with the prime minister “because that would make it hard for us to have a trusting relationship”.
In what appeared to be a swipe at the prime minister’s office, Pyne signalled his displeasure at the leaking of details about a dinner in Adelaide where Abbott reportedly gave advance notice that the Coalition parties would jointly decide their stance on same-sex marriage.In what appeared to be a swipe at the prime minister’s office, Pyne signalled his displeasure at the leaking of details about a dinner in Adelaide where Abbott reportedly gave advance notice that the Coalition parties would jointly decide their stance on same-sex marriage.
At a Liberal party room meeting in Canberra about two weeks ago, Pyne characterised Abbott’s plan to include the more socially conservative Nationals as akin to branch stacking.At a Liberal party room meeting in Canberra about two weeks ago, Pyne characterised Abbott’s plan to include the more socially conservative Nationals as akin to branch stacking.
Related: Same-sex marriage: Coalition calls special joint party room meetingRelated: Same-sex marriage: Coalition calls special joint party room meeting
Then, on 16 August, News Corp reported that Abbott had told Pyne at Chianti restaurant in Adelaide on 4 August that if same-sex marriage came up he would include the Nationals. The other person who attended the dinner was the prime minister’s chief of staff, Peta Credlin, and News Corp published a photo of the trio.Then, on 16 August, News Corp reported that Abbott had told Pyne at Chianti restaurant in Adelaide on 4 August that if same-sex marriage came up he would include the Nationals. The other person who attended the dinner was the prime minister’s chief of staff, Peta Credlin, and News Corp published a photo of the trio.
Pyne – who supports same-sex marriage and was pushing for MPs to be granted a free vote – was asked during an event at the National Press Club on Thursday whether the prime minister had given such a warning over a meal in Adelaide.Pyne – who supports same-sex marriage and was pushing for MPs to be granted a free vote – was asked during an event at the National Press Club on Thursday whether the prime minister had given such a warning over a meal in Adelaide.
“Well I haven’t talked about the private dinner with the prime minister and there were only three people at the dinner and I remember who the other two were because it wasn’t that long ago and I’m not going to talk about that dinner or any other private discussions I have had with the prime minister because that would make it hard for us to have a trusting relationship, so, no, I don’t do that,” Pyne said.“Well I haven’t talked about the private dinner with the prime minister and there were only three people at the dinner and I remember who the other two were because it wasn’t that long ago and I’m not going to talk about that dinner or any other private discussions I have had with the prime minister because that would make it hard for us to have a trusting relationship, so, no, I don’t do that,” Pyne said.
“But whether that was said or not it would be irrelevant because my point was that the Liberal party should have its own meeting in the same way as the National party had had its own meeting but the decision of course would always be made by a joint party decision.”“But whether that was said or not it would be irrelevant because my point was that the Liberal party should have its own meeting in the same way as the National party had had its own meeting but the decision of course would always be made by a joint party decision.”
Pyne holds the education and training portfolio but also serves as leader of the house, a key tactical role that requires good relations with the prime minister.Pyne holds the education and training portfolio but also serves as leader of the house, a key tactical role that requires good relations with the prime minister.
During a National Press Club event to promote his new book, Pyne was asked by the Sky News political editor, David Speers, to describe how the prime minister had handled the same-sex marriage issue.During a National Press Club event to promote his new book, Pyne was asked by the Sky News political editor, David Speers, to describe how the prime minister had handled the same-sex marriage issue.
“I think he’s done as a good a job on this issue as you would expect; it’s a difficult issue. People have very strong views on both sides,” Pyne said.“I think he’s done as a good a job on this issue as you would expect; it’s a difficult issue. People have very strong views on both sides,” Pyne said.
“I think the public are mostly ambivalent about the issue, in fact most people would say ‘haven’t you already done that?’“I think the public are mostly ambivalent about the issue, in fact most people would say ‘haven’t you already done that?’
Related: Same-sex marriage: disappointment and anger as Coalition party room rejects free voteRelated: Same-sex marriage: disappointment and anger as Coalition party room rejects free vote
“South Africa, UK, the US, Ireland, New Zealand, most of the European countries have managed to do this without the sky falling in, and I think Australia will end up going in this direction.”“South Africa, UK, the US, Ireland, New Zealand, most of the European countries have managed to do this without the sky falling in, and I think Australia will end up going in this direction.”
The Coalition met for six hours and decided not to grant MPs and senators a free vote in this term of parliament, but Abbott has championed the idea of a nationwide “people’s vote” to resolve the issue some time next term.The Coalition met for six hours and decided not to grant MPs and senators a free vote in this term of parliament, but Abbott has championed the idea of a nationwide “people’s vote” to resolve the issue some time next term.
Pyne said it was the last parliament “in which members will be bound to vote against their conscience on what is effectively a conscience issue and then next parliament there’ll be a people’s vote in which the public will be able to express their view”.Pyne said it was the last parliament “in which members will be bound to vote against their conscience on what is effectively a conscience issue and then next parliament there’ll be a people’s vote in which the public will be able to express their view”.
He said he did not expect the marriage equality bill championed by the Liberal backbencher Warren Entsch, and backed by MPs from across the political spectrum, to be put to a vote in the lower house in this term of parliament.He said he did not expect the marriage equality bill championed by the Liberal backbencher Warren Entsch, and backed by MPs from across the political spectrum, to be put to a vote in the lower house in this term of parliament.
In broader remarks about the government’s political situation, Pyne said Abbott did not chase popularity but sought respect and to be seen as effective. Pyne added that Abbott passed “the character test” and the Labor leader, Bill Shorten, did not.In broader remarks about the government’s political situation, Pyne said Abbott did not chase popularity but sought respect and to be seen as effective. Pyne added that Abbott passed “the character test” and the Labor leader, Bill Shorten, did not.
“I think the reason we’ll win the next election is for that reason alone,” he said.“I think the reason we’ll win the next election is for that reason alone,” he said.