Senator Sidodinos ‘open’ to marriage equality legislation

Liberal senator Arthur Sidodinos has told SKY News that he is open to same sex marriage provided that exemptions for religious institutions are provided.

Senator Sidodinos said he has seen the draft bill put forward by Coalition MP Warren Enstch and Labor’s Terri Butler, but he’d like to examine the final legislation to ensure all his concerns were met.

Senator Sidodinos said he didn’t want churches to by put in an invidious position.

Earlier this year Senator Sidodinos said members of both the Labor and Liberal parties should be granted a free vote on the issue of marriage equality.

The cross party bill got marriage equality could be debated when parliament returns to August but the Prime Minister has indicated that it is unlikely to be a priority for the Abbott government.

OIP Staff