The Australian Rainbow Labor Network has today condemned Tony Abbott for refusing to grant Liberal Party MPs and Senators a conscience vote on same-sex marriage.

ARLN Co-Convenor Neil Pharaoh said that it was hypocritical of Mr Abbott to deny Malcolm Turnbull, and other like-minded Liberals, the opportunity to vote according to their conscience on same-sex marriage, while at the same time allowing Shadow Cabinet Minister Barnaby Joyce to speak according to his conscience on foreign investment.

“In Monday’s debate on Labor MP Stephen Jones’ marriage equality bill in the Federal Parliament, Mr Turnbull confirmed that he would vote in favour of same-sex marriage, if Mr Abbott hadn’t refused to grant him a conscience vote,” Mr Pharaoh said.

“It is the height of hypocrisy for Mr Abbott to deny Mr Turnbull a conscience vote on Labor’s same-sex marriage bill, while at the same time allowing Senator Joyce free rein on the sale of Cubbie Station.

“Mr Abbott says Senator Joyce deserves special treatment, because Cubbie Station is just around the corner from his home in St George, and the sale is an important issue for the local community.

“But same-sex marriage is equally as important to residents of Mr Turnbull’s electorate of Wentworth, which has one of the highest GLBTI populations in Australia.
“Mr Abbott is clearly adopting a double-standard, and affording Senator Joyce special treatment, at the expense of Mr Turnbull and other Liberal Party parliamentarians who support marriage equality.”

Mr Pharaoh called on Mr Abbott to stop bullying his Liberal Party colleagues into submitting to his views on same-sex marriage, and allow them the same freedom on marriage equality that he grants to Barnaby Joyce on foreign investment and other issues.

Media contacts: Neil Pharaoh 0414 833 590