|
 Malcolm Turnbull has asked his own party for a conscience vote on gay marriage.
LIBERAL frontbencher Malcolm Turnbull has asked his leader Tony Abbott to allow Coalition MPs a conscience vote on same-sex marriage.
"My view is there should be a conscience vote," he told ABC Radio today.
Labor MPs will be allowed a free vote when a private member's bill, which aims to change the Marriage Act, is presented to Parliament early next year. Mr Abbott has said the Coalition will make a decision when it sees the legislation, but hasn't ruled in or out allowing Liberal and Nationals MPs a conscience vote on the issue.
Mr Turnbull, who represents the eastern Sydney seat of Wentworth where there is strong support for gay marriage equality, confirmed he had discussed the matter with Mr Abbott.
"I have raised the matter privately with Tony some time ago," he said.
The issue of a conscience vote would be discussed by Shadow Cabinet. Allowing a free vote would allow Opposition frontbenchers, such as Mr Turnbull, to vote against official Coalition policy, which is to leave the Marriage Act unchanged.
Mr Abbott has said that Coalition MPs exercise a conscience vote on every issue because, unlike Labor, they can cross the floor of Parliament without risking expulsion.
Mr Turnbull did not indicate whether he would cross the floor to vote for the legislation. Read more: http://www.news.com.au
PRESS RELEASE : AUSTRALIAN MARRIAGE EQUALITY
TURNBULL'S GAY MARRIAGE SUPPORT OPENS DOOR FOR OTHER COALITION MPS. TUNRBULL MOVES ON AWAY CIVIL UNIONS & SUPPORTS A CONSCIENCE VOTE
Malcolm Turnbull has become the first Coalition front-bencher to support same-sex marriage.
Speaking on Radio National this morning Mr Turnbull said he wants to vote according to the views of his constituency which, according to his polling, is overwhelmingly in favour of reform.
Australian Marriage Equality National Convener, Alex Greenwich, said Mr Turnbull is opening the door to other Coalition MPs to show their support for equality.
"As a front-bencher and former Coalition leader, Mr Turnbull is the most prominent Coalition MP to support marriage equality", Mr Greenwich said
"His stance opens the door for other Coalition MPs who support this reform to go public."
In this morning's interview Mr Turnbull, who has previously favoured civil unions, also supported a Coalition conscience vote on the issue.
"By supporting a conscience vote Mr Turnbull represents not just his equality-friendly constituents, but also the 76% of Coalition voters across the nation who, according to a recent Galaxy poll, want a Coalition conscience vote on this issue."
"The fact that Malcolm Turnbull has moved on from civil unions sends a strong message to others in his party that this debate is about marriage and equality, not second-rate substitutes."
Mr Turnbull's survey of his electorate of Wentworth, conducted earlier this year, found 73% support for marriage equality with only 17% preferring civil unions over marriage equality.
Mr Greenwich said Malcolm Turnbull also had nothing to fear electorally by coming out in support for equality:
"Mr Turnbull would also know that backing such a popular reform would only benefit him electorally".
For a copy of the results of Mr Turnbull's electoral survey click here > www.australianmarriageequality.com
|
