TONY Abbott is standing firm in his opposition to gay marriage despite his two youngest daughters urging for the practice to be legalised.
Mr Abbott last night said he would not allow a conscience vote on gay marriage while ever the official party position was against it.
“Coalition party policy is that marriage is between a man and a woman,” the Opposition Leader told Sky News on Sunday night.
“Now, if future party rooms decide that it is no longer party policy, well then, obviously, there won’t be a whipped vote, but it will be up to future party rooms to determine what the policy is.
“While it’s party policy there’s no question of a conscience vote. It only becomes a free vote if there is no policy on the subject.”
Mr Abbott’s daughters Bridget, 20, and Frances, 21, gave an interview to News Limited last week and said they hoped and prayed the issue of gay marriage would be legalised.
They said their view was cemented by seeing their aunt, Mr Abbott’s youngest sister, Christine Forster fall in love with her partner Virginia Edwards.
Frances said being in the design community “where there is quite a large gay population” had illustrated “at the end of the day it is love…love is equal.”
“Dad and I have had a few discussions about it,” Frances said.
“I believe it is inevitable, I believe by the time our generation gets into power I hope and pray something is done about marriage equality and gay rights.”
Bridget added: “I just think being gay is a lot more accepted and open for our generation. Chris and Virginia are a completely normal couple. They’re exactly the same as Mum and Dad except they happen to both be women.”
Australian Marriage Equality national director Rodney Croome said the issue of gay marriage could be a breakthrough election issue this year.
“It certainly was in the US election,” Mr Croome told ABC News 24 this morning.
“It will be the same in Australia. If either of our national leaders were to move forward on this issue it would be a big plus for them electorally. It would appeal to younger voters and it would certainly, for Julia Gillard, galvanise the Labor party in support of her.
“So I can’t see why they wouldn’t support this issue.”
Author: Lanai Scarr
Publication: News Limited Network
Publication Date: April 1, 2013
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