Thousands rally in Australia for same-sex marriage

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull plans to hold a plebiscite (public vote) on the issue after the upcoming federal election – a compromise created to avoid a rift with some of his own ultra-conservative MPs.

Mr. Turnbull, a wealthy former entrepreneur and Goldman Sachs banker, led a revolt to remove his predecessor 10 months ago, promising he could more effectively drive economic reform in an economy struggling with the end of a Chinese-led mining boom.

“That climate change is put on the top of the prime minister’s agenda”, said Mr Sikulu, after kayaking from North Sydney to a small beach outside Turnbull’s Point Piper mansion.

But Donna Demaio told Rachel Smalley opposition leader Bill Shorten is using Brexit to highlight his opponent’s weaknesses.

Malcolm Turnbull has previously said both he and wife Lucy are in favour of marriage equality but his Cabinet-first leadership style will enforce a plebiscite after the election.

Mr Turnbull spoke to a few hundred Liberal and National party faithful at the Coalition launch in Sydney on Sunday, urging Australians to remain in control of their destiny.

Treasurer Scott Morrison said Labor’s plan would increase debt, threatening the triple-A credit rating and weakening the economy at a time when strength was needed.

Former leaders John Howard and Tony Abbott are expected at the launch, which comes just a week from polling day.

Mr Shorten said Mr Turnbull faced problems within his own ranks because his moderate views on issues such as same-sex marriage did not sit well with conservatives.

Mr Abbott was in office for only two years before he was overthrown by Mr Turnbull in an internal government showdown in September.

“Community attitudes have moved on and most Australians are confused why we are arguing about the matter”, he said.

“Bill Shorten has taken his monstrous Medicare lie into hospitals, repeated it to sick children and their parents that they won’t be able to afford healthcare”.

Delivering his final week address to the National Press Club, Shorten said the Brexit by itself was “no cause for alarm – but its political and economic lessons can not and should not be ignored”.

“In contrast, the Coalition has restored security at the border, integrity to our immigration program and, with it, public trust”, he said.

“Our party is united, the Liberals are not united”.

The Government also pledged almost $50 million to help disadvantaged young people stay in school, $50 million to get more older Australians online, $64 million to crack down on illegal firearms and more than $30 million to encourage women and girls into science, technology, engineering and maths careers.

However, the costings showed a Labor government would have deficits totalling $16.5 billion more than the coalition over the next four years. He was confident a Labor government could keep the promises made because it had done so much work on them in opposition.