Senator Concetta Fierravanti-Wells resigns citing the marriage debate

Senator Concetta Fierravanti-Wells has resigned as the Minister for International Development and the Pacific.

Senator Fierravanti-Wells said there were many reasons she was no longer supporting Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull including last year’s debate over marriage equality.

While the Prime Minister was vocal supporter of allowing same-sex couples to wed, the New South Wales senator was strongly opposed to changing the laws.

Back in 2015 Senator Fierravanti-Wells declared that the “silent majority” would shut down proposal that same-sex marriage could be a reality in Australia. She also previously said ““Most Australians would find these concepts repugnant, abhorrent and destructive to our social fabric.”

In her resignation letter Fierravanti-Wells said the marriage debate had lead to the party’s base “being eroded”. It was a concern she had previously raised at when delivering a speech to the National Press Club back in 2015.

She also highlighted her disappointment that the Prime Minister had not taken on her suggestion to replace current Deputy Leader Julie Bishop with Peter Dutton earlier this year.

Senator Fierravanti-Wells is the fourth minister to resign today. Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton tendered his resignation following his failed attempt to topple the Prime Minister.

Michael Sukkar announced he was stepping down from his office as the minister assisting the treasurer. That resignation was quickly followed by Senator James McGrath who was the assistant minister to the Prime Minister.

All three have shared that voted Dutton in the leadership ballot this morning.

While Peter Dutton has moved to the back-bench supporters are suggesting he will challenge for the leadership a second time, potentially as earlier as Thursday.

OIP Staff