Tony Abbott has publicly endorsed Malcolm Turnbull’s right to speak out in favour of same-sex marriage without risking his cabinet post, after hard-right Senator Cory Bernardi demanded he be sacked.
Senator Bernardi says the Coalition has a longstanding position that marriage is between a man and a woman, and Mr Turnbull, as a member of cabinet, is obliged to adhere to that policy.
But, confirming a report by The Australian yesterday, the Prime Minister today said he was relaxed about Mr Turnbull’s vocal support for gay marriage.
“This is a rather unusual subject and I think on a subject such as this there is a certain leeway extended to people,” Mr Abbott said.
“We’ve had a pretty broad-ranging debate in the community and you wouldn’t be surprised if there was pretty broad-ranging debate inside the party.”
Mr Abbott said he was friends with both Mr Turnbull and Senator Bernardi, who he demoted from the frontbench after the senator linked gay marriage to bestiality.
The Prime Minister said if fresh gay marriage legislation came before parliament, the Coalition partyroom would determine its position on the legislation.
“But everyone knows where I stand. I stand for the traditional definition,” he said.
Mr Turnbull toed the party line to vote against gay marriage when it was considered by the parliament last year.
But, with new legislation on the issue expected in the new year, he said Coalition MPs should get a free vote.
“I think it is likely that we will (have a free vote), but as Tony Abbott has said, it is a decision for the party room, not for him,” Mr Turnbull told Sky News on Sunday.
“If a free vote is allowed I will certainly vote in favour of a marriage equality bill.”
Senator Bernardi said during a Senate debate last year that same-sex marriage was being advocated by “radicals” who were determined to tear up Australia’s social fabric.
“The next step, quite frankly, is having three people or four people that love each other being able to enter into a permanent union endorsed by society – or any other type of relationship,” Senator Bernardi said.
“There are even some creepy people out there … (who) say it is OK to have consensual sexual relations between humans and animals.
“Will that be a future step? In the future will we say, `These two creatures love each other and maybe they should be able to be joined in a union’.
“I think that these things are the next step.”
Author: Ben Packham
Publication: The Australian
Date: 17 December 2013
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