Prime Minister Tony Abbott has argued that the way forward of dealing with the issue of marriage equality must be a people’s vote.
“The important thing is it should be a people’s choice, it’s got to be a people’s choice.” Mr Abbott said at a press conference.
Speaking to reporters this morning Mr Abbott said the Australian people were asking politicians to trust them with an important decision.
“I think they are looking for the politicians to trust them with a choice of this magnitude.” Mr Abbott said.
The Prime Minister would not be drawn on whether he thought the process should be specifically a referendum or a plebiscite. The Prime Minister was adamant however that the timing of any vote would not be until during the next parliament.
“This is something that has been the way it currently is hundreds of years, thousands of years. It’s a very big decision to make a change like this. I don’t say that it’s not a decision that the community won’t embrace ultimately.
“The clear message that came out of our party room meeting last week is that this should not be a politician’s decision, it should be the people’s decision and that’s what will happen during the next term of parliament.” Mr Abbott said.
Mr Abbott said the cost of a separate poll on this issue was justified given the magnitude of the decision.
