Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has renewed his commitment to a plebiscite on the issue of marriage equality.

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Answering a question from opposition leader Bill Shorten during parliament’s question time the Prime Minister argued that the Australian public had the ability to conduct a civil debate about marriage.

“I have great faith in the decency, in the common sense, in the humanity and the wisdom of the Australian people.”  the Prime Minister declared, “and if there are unruly voices heard they will be drowned out by the common sense and the respect and the general humanity of our people.”

“We are capable of great things is this country, We have done great things, and one of the greatest things we do is we practice democracy, and every day we should be able to conduct public discourse.

“Public discourse in a civil manner, in a respectful manner, and I have great faith that the Australian people in that plebiscite, as they have in one contentious issue after another for the whole time this commonwealth has been one, will be able to debate this issue in a sensible, civil, intelligent manner so that every single one of them – not just 226 members of parliament and senators, every single one of them will have they say.”

“When the Australian people make their decision that decision will stick, it will be decisive, it will be respected by this government, by this parliament and this nation.” Mr Turnbull said.

The Prime Minister said he was disappointed that the Labor leader felt that a public debate and vote could not be managed.

“He thinks so little of the people of this country, that he does not believe that we are capable of having a civil debate on  amatter of this importance. He is so frightened of public debate that he wants to shut the people out.” Mr Turbull said.