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Alan Jones rejects potentially 'divisive' same-sex marriage plebiscite Alan Jones rejects potentially 'divisive' same-sex marriage plebiscite
(6 months later)
Broadcaster Alan Jones says he opposes a plebiscite on same-sex marriage because it could be “angry and spiteful and divisive” and gay and lesbian Australians have suffered enough.Broadcaster Alan Jones says he opposes a plebiscite on same-sex marriage because it could be “angry and spiteful and divisive” and gay and lesbian Australians have suffered enough.
The 74-year-old said on his 2GB radio show on Tuesday he was “totally opposed” to the government’s plans to put the question of marriage equality to a national vote.The 74-year-old said on his 2GB radio show on Tuesday he was “totally opposed” to the government’s plans to put the question of marriage equality to a national vote.
Related: Alan Jones says Australia needs another stolen generation 'to protect' children'
“That means there must be a case presented for and against,” he said. “It could be angry and spiteful and divisive, the last thing we need. Many Australians have suffered enough as a result of their sexuality.”“That means there must be a case presented for and against,” he said. “It could be angry and spiteful and divisive, the last thing we need. Many Australians have suffered enough as a result of their sexuality.”
The conservative firebrand, who most recently courted controversy by declaring Australia needed another Indigenous stolen generation, first declared his support for marriage equality in 2012.The conservative firebrand, who most recently courted controversy by declaring Australia needed another Indigenous stolen generation, first declared his support for marriage equality in 2012.
He repeated that position on Tuesday, saying love was “an elusive thing”.He repeated that position on Tuesday, saying love was “an elusive thing”.
“If people find it they should be able to celebrate it. If that celebration manifests itself in same-sex marriage, then the world’s not going to fall in. I think people are tired of all this,” he said.“If people find it they should be able to celebrate it. If that celebration manifests itself in same-sex marriage, then the world’s not going to fall in. I think people are tired of all this,” he said.
Jones said the plebiscite, estimated to cost $160m and take at least nine months’ preparation, was a waste of time and money, calling instead for a parliamentary vote.Jones said the plebiscite, estimated to cost $160m and take at least nine months’ preparation, was a waste of time and money, calling instead for a parliamentary vote.
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“The bill could be drafted tomorrow in five minutes, and the nation could get on with its life … How much more anguish are we going to impose people over an issue of intense privacy,” he said.“The bill could be drafted tomorrow in five minutes, and the nation could get on with its life … How much more anguish are we going to impose people over an issue of intense privacy,” he said.
He said Malcolm Turnbull, then the communications minister, had called him in September after the Abbott government first announced a plebiscite on the issue.He said Malcolm Turnbull, then the communications minister, had called him in September after the Abbott government first announced a plebiscite on the issue.
“He rang me to tell me that, quote, Tony is wrong on this issue of a plebiscite Alan, and he went on to say the matter should be resolved before an election,” Jones said.“He rang me to tell me that, quote, Tony is wrong on this issue of a plebiscite Alan, and he went on to say the matter should be resolved before an election,” Jones said.
(“Malcolm was always ringing around on anything that might pull the rug out from under Tony Abbott,” he added.)(“Malcolm was always ringing around on anything that might pull the rug out from under Tony Abbott,” he added.)
Turnbull backed the idea of a plebiscite soon after taking power from Abbott in September, but key details of the process – including the date, the question posed to the public and whether or not the result will be binding – remain unclear.Turnbull backed the idea of a plebiscite soon after taking power from Abbott in September, but key details of the process – including the date, the question posed to the public and whether or not the result will be binding – remain unclear.
Related: Q&A recap: Alan Jones 'hopes' he's a feminist, but Michaelia Cash rejects label
The attorney-general, George Brandis, suggested on Sunday a vote would take place before the end of the year, a timetable the prime minister’s office did not back.The attorney-general, George Brandis, suggested on Sunday a vote would take place before the end of the year, a timetable the prime minister’s office did not back.
The national director of Australian Marriage Equality, Rodney Croome, said he welcomed Jones’ opposition “to an unnecessary, divisive and expensive plebiscite” and reiterated his call for Turnbull to drop the idea.The national director of Australian Marriage Equality, Rodney Croome, said he welcomed Jones’ opposition “to an unnecessary, divisive and expensive plebiscite” and reiterated his call for Turnbull to drop the idea.
“There is majority support for marriage equality in parliament so we could resolve this issue next week if the government simply allowed a free vote.”“There is majority support for marriage equality in parliament so we could resolve this issue next week if the government simply allowed a free vote.”
Jones also appeared on ABC’s Q+A program on Monday night, where he surprised some viewers by saying he hoped he was a feminist. “I hope so. I certainly believe in gender equality, I can tell you,” he said.Jones also appeared on ABC’s Q+A program on Monday night, where he surprised some viewers by saying he hoped he was a feminist. “I hope so. I certainly believe in gender equality, I can tell you,” he said.