Tasmanian Senator Eric Abetz has spoken out against comments made by fellow Liberal Christopher Pyne suggesting marriage equality may come sooner than expected.

The long-time opponent of marriage equality has told the ABC he found Mr Pyne’s comments to be divisive, deviating from government policy formed under former Prime Minister Tony Abbott to hold a plebiscite on the issue.

“You are duty bound to be supportive of Cabinet decisions,” Senator Abetz said.

“To say that you have been in the constant vanguard of undermining policy from years back is a matter I don’t think will give the public confidence in their elected representatives.”

Senator Abetz described Mr Pyne’s leaked comments as a “verbal selfie”, suggesting the Defence Minister had done his party a disservice by not voicing his dissatisfaction sooner and tendering his resignation.

“It seems that for six years straight that Mr Pyne was carrying a flame for Mr Turnbull throughout Mr Abbott’s leadership. I find that very disappointing.”

Mr Abbott has also criticised Pyne in the wake of his comments, saying the government will not leave the plebiscite policy behind.

“We took a policy to the election – it was a very clear policy – that there would be no change without a plebiscite,” Mr Abbott told 2GB Sydney yesterday.

“To dump the plebiscite, to do anything without a plebiscite, would be a breach of faith with the people.”

OIP Staff