This article is from the source 'independent' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/tony-abbotts-gay-sister-christine-forster-urges-australian-pm-to-allow-his-mps-a-conscience-vote-on-samesex-marriage-10274314.html

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Tony Abbott's gay sister Christine Forster urges Australian PM to allow his MPs a conscience vote on same-sex marriage Tony Abbott's gay sister Christine Forster urges Australian PM to allow his MPs a conscience vote on same-sex marriage
(7 months later)
When Tony Abbott rejected calls for a referendum on same-sex marriage in the wake of Ireland’s historic vote to approve the measure, many were left unimpressed.When Tony Abbott rejected calls for a referendum on same-sex marriage in the wake of Ireland’s historic vote to approve the measure, many were left unimpressed.
Including, it seems, the Australian prime minister’s own gay sister, Christine Forster.Including, it seems, the Australian prime minister’s own gay sister, Christine Forster.
Forster shared her hope that her brother wpuld change his mind and allow MPs a conscience vote on the referendum with Sky News.Forster shared her hope that her brother wpuld change his mind and allow MPs a conscience vote on the referendum with Sky News.
“I'd like something more from the current prime minister, who happens to be my brother,” she said.“I'd like something more from the current prime minister, who happens to be my brother,” she said.
The Prime Minister’s sister, Christine Forster, is gay and wants to get married Abbott had implied that referendums in Australia were reserved only for constitutional changes. Abbott had implied that referendums in Australia were reserved only for constitutional changes.
“I don't think anyone is suggesting the constitution needs to be changed in this respect,” the long-standing opponent of gay marriage said.“I don't think anyone is suggesting the constitution needs to be changed in this respect,” the long-standing opponent of gay marriage said.
Bill Shorten, the opposition leader who supports gay marriage, also ruled out a referendum but called for parliament to legislate on the matter, calling the prime minister an obstacle to equality.Bill Shorten, the opposition leader who supports gay marriage, also ruled out a referendum but called for parliament to legislate on the matter, calling the prime minister an obstacle to equality.
“If the Irish people can vote in favour of marriage equality, the question has to be asked, what is Tony Abbott's problem with it?” he told ABC News.“If the Irish people can vote in favour of marriage equality, the question has to be asked, what is Tony Abbott's problem with it?” he told ABC News.