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'It will sail through': Turnbull explains allowing free vote on same-sex marriage | 'It will sail through': Turnbull explains allowing free vote on same-sex marriage |
(2 months later) | |
Malcolm Turnbull has offered a bizarre explanation for why he will now allow Coalition MPs to have a free vote on same-sex marriage after the plebiscite, a move that will let them ignore its result. | Malcolm Turnbull has offered a bizarre explanation for why he will now allow Coalition MPs to have a free vote on same-sex marriage after the plebiscite, a move that will let them ignore its result. |
He says there was “probably not support” for same-sex marriage in the last parliament, on a free vote basis – implying he thinks support for same-sex marriage will increase among parliamentarians after the election. | He says there was “probably not support” for same-sex marriage in the last parliament, on a free vote basis – implying he thinks support for same-sex marriage will increase among parliamentarians after the election. |
But he then admitted he does not know what the next parliament will look like. | But he then admitted he does not know what the next parliament will look like. |
He encouraged voters not to worry, saying he “knows parliamentarians well enough” to know that they will respect the will of the people – a view that contradicts his original point about MPs in the former parliament. | He encouraged voters not to worry, saying he “knows parliamentarians well enough” to know that they will respect the will of the people – a view that contradicts his original point about MPs in the former parliament. |
Turnbull announced on Friday that Coalition MPs would be allowed a free vote after the plebiscite. The decision provoked outrage from opponents of the poll, who said a free vote exposed the pointlessness of the $160m exercise. | Turnbull announced on Friday that Coalition MPs would be allowed a free vote after the plebiscite. The decision provoked outrage from opponents of the poll, who said a free vote exposed the pointlessness of the $160m exercise. |
Australian Marriage Equality national spokeswoman, Shirleene Robinson, said her organisation had “always supported a free vote in parliament on marriage equality”. | Australian Marriage Equality national spokeswoman, Shirleene Robinson, said her organisation had “always supported a free vote in parliament on marriage equality”. |
“If the next parliament holds a costly and unnecessary plebiscite on marriage equality and it’s passed, then the Australian people will expect their wishes to be respected,” she said. | “If the next parliament holds a costly and unnecessary plebiscite on marriage equality and it’s passed, then the Australian people will expect their wishes to be respected,” she said. |
The shadow attorney general, Mark Dreyfus, questioned the point of the “divisive, wasteful plebiscite” following the free vote announcement. | The shadow attorney general, Mark Dreyfus, questioned the point of the “divisive, wasteful plebiscite” following the free vote announcement. |
On the ABC’s 7.30 program on Friday evening, Turnbull was asked why he had changed his mind on a free vote. | On the ABC’s 7.30 program on Friday evening, Turnbull was asked why he had changed his mind on a free vote. |
He was also asked why he thought a free vote on same sex marriage would get through parliament when many Coalition and Labor MPs have said they would not support one. | He was also asked why he thought a free vote on same sex marriage would get through parliament when many Coalition and Labor MPs have said they would not support one. |
Turnbull answered: “Because there was probably not support on a free vote basis for same sex marriage in the last parliament. Of course we don’t know who will be in the next parliament. | Turnbull answered: “Because there was probably not support on a free vote basis for same sex marriage in the last parliament. Of course we don’t know who will be in the next parliament. |
“But I know parliamentarians well enough to know this, and I know my colleagues well enough, that if the Australian people vote ‘yes’ in a plebiscite for same sex marriage, and I will be encouraging them to vote ‘yes’, and I’ll be voting ‘yes,’ as will Lucy, I have no doubt it will sail through the parliament. | “But I know parliamentarians well enough to know this, and I know my colleagues well enough, that if the Australian people vote ‘yes’ in a plebiscite for same sex marriage, and I will be encouraging them to vote ‘yes’, and I’ll be voting ‘yes,’ as will Lucy, I have no doubt it will sail through the parliament. |
“That is the last thing to be concerned about … if that plebiscite is carried, as I believe it will be, the parliament will pass into law legislation which legalises same sex marriage – without any doubt.” | “That is the last thing to be concerned about … if that plebiscite is carried, as I believe it will be, the parliament will pass into law legislation which legalises same sex marriage – without any doubt.” |
He said he would push ahead with the plebiscite – even though there would be a free vote for parliamentarians - because the Coalition had offered it to voters last year. | He said he would push ahead with the plebiscite – even though there would be a free vote for parliamentarians - because the Coalition had offered it to voters last year. |
“It is thoroughly democratic and every Australian will get a say in it, and I’m very confident that the plebiscite will be carried,” he said. | “It is thoroughly democratic and every Australian will get a say in it, and I’m very confident that the plebiscite will be carried,” he said. |
“And I think the argument that [Bill] Shorten makes, that the Australian people can’t be trusted to have a civil conversation and a decent and respectful conversation about this is really, he’s really selling the Australian people short. He’s not giving Australians credit.” | “And I think the argument that [Bill] Shorten makes, that the Australian people can’t be trusted to have a civil conversation and a decent and respectful conversation about this is really, he’s really selling the Australian people short. He’s not giving Australians credit.” |
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