Gay marriage: Turnbull takes the time to talk about timing

Although Opposition Leader Bill Shorten might prefer to have support for same-sex marriage as a point of policy difference with Mr Abbott, that would deny a say to Coalition backers who want legalised gay marriage, unless they accepted all Labor’s policy offerings.

“There is no doubt whatsoever that an amendment to the constitution is necessary should the Parliament proceed down this path”.

Some 69 per cent of voters support same sex marriage, according to an Ipsos Fairfax poll, with 25 per cent opposed.

Some champions of marriage equality in the Labor Party and the LGBTI community are deeply unhappy with the proposal for a model plebiscite and want to hold the line against any public vote.

Now the Prime Minister’s handling of this issue has, ironically, presented that opportunity.

Campaigners for marriage rights for same-sex couples in Australia are defending their support for a referendum on the issue.

Senior minister Scott Morrison said legalising same-sex marriage should be put to the people in a referendum.

Cabinet ministers are publicly brawling over the appropriate legal vehicle, and timing, for deciding the question of same-sex marriage.

“A plebiscite the way in which the government is proposing could be a delaying tactic”, he said.

Brandis said if there was a plebiscite it should be compulsory voting, and the question should be about same-sex marriage, not one containing multiple options (such as civil unions).

“So the right way to test public opinion on this issue, given that it doesn’t raise a constitutional question, is to have a plebiscite”, he said. “That’s a discussion we are yet to have”, he said.

Senator Brandis insisted on Sky News on Sunday that it was a good government with professional relationships among cabinet members and ministers, but “that doesn’t mean we always agree on everything, you wouldn’t expect that to be the case”.

Then again, the Prime Minister is now at war with his own party.

Since the last election our strategy has been to get the numbers to pass marriage equality in a cross-party free vote.

“We urge Coalition members not to opt for a plebiscite because it will delay the reform, be socially divisive and leave taxpayers with a hefty bill”, he said.

“It should be the people’s decision and that’s what will happen in the next term of parliament”, he said.

In a concession, Mr Abbott suggested the issue could be put to a popular vote after the next election, expected some time next year.

Liberals Dean Smith and Wyatt Roy will look like fearless heroes for fairness and common sense if they stand up to Abbott and vote YES despite the PM’s best efforts to destroy Australia’s chances of getting marriage equality anytime soon.

“We don’t want to say it can’t ever be changed, and that this position in the party room today, that if there is a big change on the matter … it is something that will properly be decided by the people rather than voted on by parliament”.