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| Same-sex marriage: Warren Entsch urges Tony Abbott to allow public vote on election day | Same-sex marriage: Warren Entsch urges Tony Abbott to allow public vote on election day |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| The Liberal MP Warren Entsch has called on Tony Abbott to allow a public vote on same-sex marriage to occur at the same time as the next election, but the prime minister ruled out moving quickly to have a plebiscite. | |
| Entsch met with Abbott on Wednesday morning and told him he still planned to introduce his private member’s bill to allow same-sex marriage to parliament next week, undeterred by the Coalition’s decision during six hours of talks on Tuesday not to grant MPs a free vote. | Entsch met with Abbott on Wednesday morning and told him he still planned to introduce his private member’s bill to allow same-sex marriage to parliament next week, undeterred by the Coalition’s decision during six hours of talks on Tuesday not to grant MPs a free vote. |
| Related: Same-sex marriage: disappointment and anger as Coalition party room rejects free vote | Related: Same-sex marriage: disappointment and anger as Coalition party room rejects free vote |
| The prime minister signalled on Wednesday that the cross-party legislation may not even come to a vote on the floor of parliament, given that private members’ bills routinely lapse. | The prime minister signalled on Wednesday that the cross-party legislation may not even come to a vote on the floor of parliament, given that private members’ bills routinely lapse. |
| Abbott conceded after the lengthy party room meeting that this was the last term in which the Coalition could bind its MPs and senators to oppose same-sex marriage, and that it would formulate a policy before the next election that could include a plebiscite or referendum to “put it to the people”. | Abbott conceded after the lengthy party room meeting that this was the last term in which the Coalition could bind its MPs and senators to oppose same-sex marriage, and that it would formulate a policy before the next election that could include a plebiscite or referendum to “put it to the people”. |
| Entsch said he had asked to be involved in the policy development process and would like the public vote to occur at the same time as the next election, which is due in 2016. | Entsch said he had asked to be involved in the policy development process and would like the public vote to occur at the same time as the next election, which is due in 2016. |
| “I think we need to do it as quickly as possible and not have it drag on,” he told Guardian Australia. | “I think we need to do it as quickly as possible and not have it drag on,” he told Guardian Australia. |
| “These sorts of issues have a tendency to be very emotive and whilst you see the best of both sides you also see the worst and the longer you let it go the more you’re going to seee that type of attack from both sides. So let’s move, short and sharp, and let’s have it dealt with. We drag it on, it just festers there … let’s move quickly, let’s do it, let’s make the decision and whoever wins the next election will be bound by it.” | “These sorts of issues have a tendency to be very emotive and whilst you see the best of both sides you also see the worst and the longer you let it go the more you’re going to seee that type of attack from both sides. So let’s move, short and sharp, and let’s have it dealt with. We drag it on, it just festers there … let’s move quickly, let’s do it, let’s make the decision and whoever wins the next election will be bound by it.” |
| Entsch said having the vote at the same time as the next election would also “save us a lot of money” and ensure everyone was voting. | Entsch said having the vote at the same time as the next election would also “save us a lot of money” and ensure everyone was voting. |
| “People are going to have to vote one way or the other … otherwise we end up with a situation where you have those that say no in Australia somehow demeaning the Irish vote running around with percentages saying as to how many actually voted, somehow suggesting it was a lesser outcome than it was,” he said. “If it’s tacked on to a national vote that means everyone is voting.” | “People are going to have to vote one way or the other … otherwise we end up with a situation where you have those that say no in Australia somehow demeaning the Irish vote running around with percentages saying as to how many actually voted, somehow suggesting it was a lesser outcome than it was,” he said. “If it’s tacked on to a national vote that means everyone is voting.” |
| Related: Confusing outcome shows Coalition's same-sex marriage troubles are not over | Related: Confusing outcome shows Coalition's same-sex marriage troubles are not over |
| Abbott has set out a longer timeframe, suggesting the plebiscite could occur some time after the next election during the subsequent three-year term. | Abbott has set out a longer timeframe, suggesting the plebiscite could occur some time after the next election during the subsequent three-year term. |
| When asked on Wednesday about Entsch’s idea, Abbott said he was not in favour of a plebiscite at the same time as an election because it should be a “separate discussion”. | |
| “My disposition would not be to hold this people’s vote concurrently with an election because, again, I think that people ought to be able to focus on the differences between a strong and competent government and an opposition which hasn’t learned and can’t change,” the prime minister told reporters. | |
| Abbott indicated that Entsch’s private member’s bill – due to be introduced to the House of Representatives on Monday – may not lead to a parliamentary vote. | Abbott indicated that Entsch’s private member’s bill – due to be introduced to the House of Representatives on Monday – may not lead to a parliamentary vote. |
| “Let’s see where things go. We don’t actually know what the bill provides at this point,” he told ABC Radio on Wednesday. “Let’s see the bill. Let’s let the dust settle from yesterday’s discussion.” | “Let’s see where things go. We don’t actually know what the bill provides at this point,” he told ABC Radio on Wednesday. “Let’s see the bill. Let’s let the dust settle from yesterday’s discussion.” |
| Abbott said if it did come to a vote, backbenchers would be entitled to vote however they wished but he “would be disappointed if they went against the party position”. | Abbott said if it did come to a vote, backbenchers would be entitled to vote however they wished but he “would be disappointed if they went against the party position”. |
| “But it is nevertheless the standard position of our party that if a frontbencher cannot support the party’s policy that person has to leave the frontbench. That’s always been our position.” | “But it is nevertheless the standard position of our party that if a frontbencher cannot support the party’s policy that person has to leave the frontbench. That’s always been our position.” |
| Campaigners for same-sex marriage have warned that the Coalition’s decision not to grant a free vote will expose internal party divisions. | Campaigners for same-sex marriage have warned that the Coalition’s decision not to grant a free vote will expose internal party divisions. |
| What we saw yesterday was an exercise in raw power by a man who is prepared to do anything … to get his own way | What we saw yesterday was an exercise in raw power by a man who is prepared to do anything … to get his own way |
| “We will see some Liberals cross the floor on this,” said the head of Australian Marriage Equality, Rodney Croome. | “We will see some Liberals cross the floor on this,” said the head of Australian Marriage Equality, Rodney Croome. |
| One of parliament’s strongest supporters of same-sex marriage, Penny Wong, agreed. Labor’s Senate leader described Abbott as “yesterday’s man” who had “fought tooth and nail” to oppose change. | One of parliament’s strongest supporters of same-sex marriage, Penny Wong, agreed. Labor’s Senate leader described Abbott as “yesterday’s man” who had “fought tooth and nail” to oppose change. |
| “What we saw yesterday was an exercise in raw power by a man who is prepared to do anything, including dividing his cabinet, to get his own way,” she said. “I suspect the Senate is where some Liberals are going to have to decide if they have the courage to show their convictions. | “What we saw yesterday was an exercise in raw power by a man who is prepared to do anything, including dividing his cabinet, to get his own way,” she said. “I suspect the Senate is where some Liberals are going to have to decide if they have the courage to show their convictions. |
| “There will be moves, because so many people in this parliament think it’s time. I think the majority of Australians think it’s time.” | “There will be moves, because so many people in this parliament think it’s time. I think the majority of Australians think it’s time.” |
| The independent senator Nick Xenophon said he also thought backbenchers would cross the floor. | The independent senator Nick Xenophon said he also thought backbenchers would cross the floor. |
| “Will there be any Coalition ministers not so much crossing the floor but absenting themselves from any vote on marriage equality?” he asked. “I think that will pose a real test for the PM. | “Will there be any Coalition ministers not so much crossing the floor but absenting themselves from any vote on marriage equality?” he asked. “I think that will pose a real test for the PM. |
| “So he may have won the battle but he could end up losing the war on this one.” | “So he may have won the battle but he could end up losing the war on this one.” |
| Abbott insisted that he was simply keeping an election promise to the people by sticking with the Coalition’s current definition of marriage as solely between a man and a woman. | Abbott insisted that he was simply keeping an election promise to the people by sticking with the Coalition’s current definition of marriage as solely between a man and a woman. |
| It is important to give the Australian people a greater voice in this debate | It is important to give the Australian people a greater voice in this debate |
| “We will keep faith with the electorate. We will maintain our existing position for the life of this parliament,” the prime minister told reporters on Wednesday morning. “But our disposition going into the next election, should we win the next election, will be to put to it the people in the next term of parliament.” | “We will keep faith with the electorate. We will maintain our existing position for the life of this parliament,” the prime minister told reporters on Wednesday morning. “But our disposition going into the next election, should we win the next election, will be to put to it the people in the next term of parliament.” |
| Among the options are a plebiscite or a constitutional referendum – although the high court has previously ruled that the parliament had the ability to make laws for same-sex marriage without requiring a constitutional amendment. | Among the options are a plebiscite or a constitutional referendum – although the high court has previously ruled that the parliament had the ability to make laws for same-sex marriage without requiring a constitutional amendment. |
| “We have now decided that it is important to give the Australian people a greater voice in this debate,” the treasurer, Joe Hockey, told ABC Radio on Wednesday. | “We have now decided that it is important to give the Australian people a greater voice in this debate,” the treasurer, Joe Hockey, told ABC Radio on Wednesday. |
| Labor is against either option. “I don’t understand what are for the life of me what Mr Abbott and some of his team have against marriage equality, and I think we shouldn’t have to wait for a referendum, which by the way will cost tens of millions of dollars,” the opposition leader, Bill Shorten, told Channel Seven on Wednesday. | Labor is against either option. “I don’t understand what are for the life of me what Mr Abbott and some of his team have against marriage equality, and I think we shouldn’t have to wait for a referendum, which by the way will cost tens of millions of dollars,” the opposition leader, Bill Shorten, told Channel Seven on Wednesday. |
| “I think Mr Abbott just needs to move with the times.” | “I think Mr Abbott just needs to move with the times.” |
| Wong said it needed to be legislated. | Wong said it needed to be legislated. |
| “This is the job for parliament,” she said. “A plebiscite is simply the parliament refusing to do its job.” She added: “There will be a vote on this – it’s the next election,” she added. | “This is the job for parliament,” she said. “A plebiscite is simply the parliament refusing to do its job.” She added: “There will be a vote on this – it’s the next election,” she added. |
| Hockey disagreed that same-sex marriage would dominate the 2016 ballot. | Hockey disagreed that same-sex marriage would dominate the 2016 ballot. |
| Related: Hugo Weaving stars in #WeCanDoThis marriage equality campaign | Related: Hugo Weaving stars in #WeCanDoThis marriage equality campaign |
| “The next election will be about many, many issues,” the treasurer said. “It is about a plan for the next three years … and that will include a policy on marriage.” | “The next election will be about many, many issues,” the treasurer said. “It is about a plan for the next three years … and that will include a policy on marriage.” |
| A staunch opponent of same-sex marriage, the Liberal backbencher Cory Bernardi, said advocates for change would not be satisfied with Tuesday’s decision and the issue should therefore be settled with a referendum. | A staunch opponent of same-sex marriage, the Liberal backbencher Cory Bernardi, said advocates for change would not be satisfied with Tuesday’s decision and the issue should therefore be settled with a referendum. |
| “I do think that the parliament has dealt with this so many times,” he told ABC TV. “We now need to think of other avenues in which we can resolve it. | “I do think that the parliament has dealt with this so many times,” he told ABC TV. “We now need to think of other avenues in which we can resolve it. |
| “It is clear that one side of the debate won’t give up, no matter how minor their voice is. They have a very strong voice, even though it represents a small subsection of the community.” | “It is clear that one side of the debate won’t give up, no matter how minor their voice is. They have a very strong voice, even though it represents a small subsection of the community.” |
| The prime minister acknowledged that public opinion had changed on the issue of same-sex marriage. | The prime minister acknowledged that public opinion had changed on the issue of same-sex marriage. |
| “Do not underestimate the magnitude of this as a cultural shift,” he said. “Never before in this country or anywhere until very recently has this been regarded as an appropriate cultural norm.” | “Do not underestimate the magnitude of this as a cultural shift,” he said. “Never before in this country or anywhere until very recently has this been regarded as an appropriate cultural norm.” |
| But not everyone in the Coalition is convinced. The Australian Financial Review reported on Wednesday that the government’s Senate leader, Eric Abetz, had argued that not all gay men wanted to get married, as evidenced by the Italian fashion designers Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana. | But not everyone in the Coalition is convinced. The Australian Financial Review reported on Wednesday that the government’s Senate leader, Eric Abetz, had argued that not all gay men wanted to get married, as evidenced by the Italian fashion designers Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana. |
| Shorten ridiculed Abetz, labelling him “a clown”. | Shorten ridiculed Abetz, labelling him “a clown”. |
| “I think one leading conservative rightwing Liberal said that, well, Dolce and Gabbana never got married – so why should anyone else be worried about getting married,” he said. “We’re dealing with people who are genuinely stuck in the past.” | “I think one leading conservative rightwing Liberal said that, well, Dolce and Gabbana never got married – so why should anyone else be worried about getting married,” he said. “We’re dealing with people who are genuinely stuck in the past.” |
| You either have Mr Abbott or you have marriage equality. But you can’t have both | You either have Mr Abbott or you have marriage equality. But you can’t have both |
| Abetz released a statement on Wednesday denying that he had said that gay men did not want to get married, and criticising Shorten for running with the story without checking his facts. | Abetz released a statement on Wednesday denying that he had said that gay men did not want to get married, and criticising Shorten for running with the story without checking his facts. |
| “Basing a story on second or third-hand reports of a party room discussion without any verification with me or my office, is extremely poor journalism,” the senator said. “It is even worse that the Labor leader, without knowing what was actually said, has chosen to accept this false report. But of course, he has form in this approach.” | “Basing a story on second or third-hand reports of a party room discussion without any verification with me or my office, is extremely poor journalism,” the senator said. “It is even worse that the Labor leader, without knowing what was actually said, has chosen to accept this false report. But of course, he has form in this approach.” |
| Hockey wants Tuesday’s marathon six-hour meeting to be the end of the matter. “Every community that we represent was given a view in that party room, and now we are moving on,” he said. | Hockey wants Tuesday’s marathon six-hour meeting to be the end of the matter. “Every community that we represent was given a view in that party room, and now we are moving on,” he said. |
| Shorten told reporters that “Labor hasn’t given up pushing for marriage equality in this term of government”. | Shorten told reporters that “Labor hasn’t given up pushing for marriage equality in this term of government”. |
| “Can I make a sporting bet with you? Mr Abbott will never support marriage equality. When it comes time, if he gets re-elected at the next election, you can forget about marriage equality. | “Can I make a sporting bet with you? Mr Abbott will never support marriage equality. When it comes time, if he gets re-elected at the next election, you can forget about marriage equality. |
| “You either have Mr Abbott or you have marriage equality. But you can’t have both.” | “You either have Mr Abbott or you have marriage equality. But you can’t have both.” |
| A Greens motion on Wednesday morning to suspend standing orders in the Senate in order to debate same-sex marriage failed after Labor and the Coalition opposed it. | A Greens motion on Wednesday morning to suspend standing orders in the Senate in order to debate same-sex marriage failed after Labor and the Coalition opposed it. |