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Christine Forster asks Malcolm Turnbull to avoid same-sex marriage plebiscite Christine Forster asks Malcolm Turnbull to avoid same-sex marriage plebiscite
(7 months later)
Christine Forster, a Liberal councillor for the City of Sydney and the sister of the former prime minister Tony Abbott, has called on the government to reconsider its plebiscite on same-sex marriage and instead allow MPs a free vote.Christine Forster, a Liberal councillor for the City of Sydney and the sister of the former prime minister Tony Abbott, has called on the government to reconsider its plebiscite on same-sex marriage and instead allow MPs a free vote.
On Friday Forster used Twitter to rebuke Abbott for telling a conservative Christian group in New York that traditional marriage should be passed on “undamaged” to the next generation.On Friday Forster used Twitter to rebuke Abbott for telling a conservative Christian group in New York that traditional marriage should be passed on “undamaged” to the next generation.
Related: Same-sex marriage plebiscite ‘kicked issue into long grass’, boasts Christian lobby
Forster told Guardian Australia that given the prime minister, Malcolm Turnbull, had said he would have preferred a free vote on same-sex marriage to the plebiscite announced under Abbott, the party should “have another look” at the best way to vote on the issue.Forster told Guardian Australia that given the prime minister, Malcolm Turnbull, had said he would have preferred a free vote on same-sex marriage to the plebiscite announced under Abbott, the party should “have another look” at the best way to vote on the issue.
“It would be great if the party room would reconsider, and go back and have another debate,” Forster said.“It would be great if the party room would reconsider, and go back and have another debate,” Forster said.
“There has been a change of leadership and you know, it would be a really good thing if they could have another look at this. I would love to see them go and have another discussion.”“There has been a change of leadership and you know, it would be a really good thing if they could have another look at this. I would love to see them go and have another discussion.”
Forster said she shared the concerns of many people in same-sex relationships that they would be confronted with harmful messages from groups opposed to marriage equality in the lead-up to a plebiscite.Forster said she shared the concerns of many people in same-sex relationships that they would be confronted with harmful messages from groups opposed to marriage equality in the lead-up to a plebiscite.
She was also concerned that children of same-sex couples would be exposed to “divisive and negative” advertising campaigns. This could be avoided by placing the vote in the hands of parliament, she said.She was also concerned that children of same-sex couples would be exposed to “divisive and negative” advertising campaigns. This could be avoided by placing the vote in the hands of parliament, she said.
Forster said while she disagreed with Abbott’s speech to the Alliance Defending Freedom in New York, she was not hurt by his comments that people should “not ignore” the erosion of society he said would occur if same-sex marriage was allowed.Forster said while she disagreed with Abbott’s speech to the Alliance Defending Freedom in New York, she was not hurt by his comments that people should “not ignore” the erosion of society he said would occur if same-sex marriage was allowed.
“Tony is not expressing anything different to what he’s said in the past, his views on the matter are well known, as are mine,” Forster said.“Tony is not expressing anything different to what he’s said in the past, his views on the matter are well known, as are mine,” Forster said.
Related: Tony Abbott's speaking engagements deserve our scrutiny, and our concern | Jason Wilson
“My belief is that allowing same-sex couples to marry would not in any way damage the institution of marriage, and it won’t make a difference to any heterosexual marriage in this country.“My belief is that allowing same-sex couples to marry would not in any way damage the institution of marriage, and it won’t make a difference to any heterosexual marriage in this country.
“What it will do is bring people closer together and allow those who already regard each other as family to get the same acknowledgment that heterosexual couples get. It would give children of same-sex couples the recognition that their parents are able to be married just like everyone else.”“What it will do is bring people closer together and allow those who already regard each other as family to get the same acknowledgment that heterosexual couples get. It would give children of same-sex couples the recognition that their parents are able to be married just like everyone else.”
She said the legalisation of same-sex marriage in the US last year was evidence that it was “nothing but positive” for society.She said the legalisation of same-sex marriage in the US last year was evidence that it was “nothing but positive” for society.