Malcolm Turnbull (Wentworth, Liberal Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Hansard source

The details, the nature, the amount, the terms of any such funding and the terms of the plebiscite are a matter for the cabinet. The cabinet will decide on that and then it will be presented through the party room processes and, following that, to the parliament. I look forward to the support of the Leader of the Opposition, because if he is committed to same-sex couples being able to have their relationships treated or regarded as a marriage then what he should do is support the plebiscite, because what we are doing is offering a clear and democratic road map that gives every single Australian a vote. Every criticism he makes of the plebiscite, which he once supported, demeans the Australian people.

You can say it costs a lot of money—that is true. You can say it is unusual in our political experience—that is true. But that is not what he says. What he says is: Australians cannot be trusted to have a civil debate. That is what he says. He is basically saying that Australians are unable to have a civil discussion about a fundamental question. He demeans the people he claims to represent—he demeans their civility; he insults them; he disrespects them. What we are saying is: every Australian will have their say in this plebiscite and the nation will make a decision and the nation will respect it—and so should the Leader of the Opposition.

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