Premium Content:

Conscience Vote Likely Says Turnbull

Malcolm Turnbull webshotAbbott Government Minister Malcolm Turnbull has predicted a conscience vote on marriage equality will be allowed during the current term of government.

‘‘I think it is likely that we will (have a free vote), but as Tony Abbott has said, it is a decision for the party room, not for him,’’ Mr Turnbull told Sky News earlier today.

- Advertisement -

‘‘If a free vote is allowed I will certainly vote in favour of a marriage equality bill,’’ said the member for Wentworth, restating his support.

Mr Turnbull said Australia was falling out of step with countries we are culturally similar to.

‘‘So people of the same sex can get married in Auckland and Wellington, Toronto and Ottawa and Vancouver, in New York and Los Angeles, and Baltimore, in Cape Town, but not Australia.

‘‘It does start to look as if we’re the ones out of step.’’

Despite his support for marriage equality Mr Turnbull said it would be inappropriate for him to co-sponsor a bill with Labor’s Tanya Plibersek, as he is a member of the cabinet.
OIP Staff

Latest

All Out and Matt Beard remain silent on podcast comments

There has been no response from All Out in wake of Better Together podcast controversy.

‘Better Together’-Internal division or right wing sitcom?

Carl Gopalkrishnan on the Better Together podcast incident.

On This Gay Day | Remembering actor River Phoenix

River Phoenix passed away on this day in 1993, he was just 23 years old.

WA’s Australian of the Year nominees revealed

The 2026 Australian of the Year will be announced in Canberra in January.

Newsletter

Don't miss

All Out and Matt Beard remain silent on podcast comments

There has been no response from All Out in wake of Better Together podcast controversy.

‘Better Together’-Internal division or right wing sitcom?

Carl Gopalkrishnan on the Better Together podcast incident.

On This Gay Day | Remembering actor River Phoenix

River Phoenix passed away on this day in 1993, he was just 23 years old.

WA’s Australian of the Year nominees revealed

The 2026 Australian of the Year will be announced in Canberra in January.

A decade of dithering – Labor inaction over protecting teachers and students

A decade has passed since promised to update WA's Equal Opportunity Act.

All Out and Matt Beard remain silent on podcast comments

There has been no response from All Out in wake of Better Together podcast controversy.

‘Better Together’-Internal division or right wing sitcom?

Carl Gopalkrishnan on the Better Together podcast incident.

On This Gay Day | Remembering actor River Phoenix

River Phoenix passed away on this day in 1993, he was just 23 years old.