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Bill Shorten to appear at Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras parade Bill Shorten to appear at Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras parade
(7 months later)
The opposition leader, Bill Shorten, will appear at Sydney’s Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras parade on 5 March, making him the first federal leader of one of the two main parties to do so.The opposition leader, Bill Shorten, will appear at Sydney’s Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras parade on 5 March, making him the first federal leader of one of the two main parties to do so.
“I’m delighted to be attending this year’s Mardi Gras with my wife, Chloe, our three children, and my Labor party colleagues to show our support for marriage equality,” Shorten said.“I’m delighted to be attending this year’s Mardi Gras with my wife, Chloe, our three children, and my Labor party colleagues to show our support for marriage equality,” Shorten said.
“It is time to make [marriage equality] a reality.”“It is time to make [marriage equality] a reality.”
Related: Ian Thorpe to make first appearance at Sydney Mardi Gras event
It is not known whether the prime minister, Malcolm Turnbull, will attend although recent reports suggest he will be in regional NSW on the night of the event and the next day.It is not known whether the prime minister, Malcolm Turnbull, will attend although recent reports suggest he will be in regional NSW on the night of the event and the next day.
Shorten called for a free vote in parliament on same-sex marriage and said Labor did not want taxpayers to fund a “nasty and negative ‘no’ campaign against marriage equality” if the government persisted with its plan for a plebiscite after the federal election.Shorten called for a free vote in parliament on same-sex marriage and said Labor did not want taxpayers to fund a “nasty and negative ‘no’ campaign against marriage equality” if the government persisted with its plan for a plebiscite after the federal election.
Turnbull, who supports marriage equality, opposed holding a plebiscite when the then prime minister, Tony Abbott, suggested one at a joint party room meeting in August last year.Turnbull, who supports marriage equality, opposed holding a plebiscite when the then prime minister, Tony Abbott, suggested one at a joint party room meeting in August last year.
In the days after the meeting Turnbull said he opposed a plebiscite because it would mean it remained “a live issue all the way up to the next election”.In the days after the meeting Turnbull said he opposed a plebiscite because it would mean it remained “a live issue all the way up to the next election”.
But since becoming prime minister in September, Turnbull has maintained plans for a plebiscite.But since becoming prime minister in September, Turnbull has maintained plans for a plebiscite.
Shorten said: “If the new Malcolm Turnbull actually did what the old Malcolm Turnbull said, we could have marriage equality by Mardi Gras.”Shorten said: “If the new Malcolm Turnbull actually did what the old Malcolm Turnbull said, we could have marriage equality by Mardi Gras.”
In February last year the Victorian premier, Daniel Andrews, led Melbourne’s Pride March, the first time a premier had led an LGBTI march.In February last year the Victorian premier, Daniel Andrews, led Melbourne’s Pride March, the first time a premier had led an LGBTI march.
Guardian Australia has contacted Turnbull for comment.Guardian Australia has contacted Turnbull for comment.