Bill Shorten (Maribyrnong, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister has previously said, 'Look, we have this tradition in our party, Ray, of respect for people's deeply held beliefs, and if someone feels sufficiently strongly about an issue we accept that they do have a right to vote the way their conscience tells them. In light of these words, will the Prime Minister commit to a free vote for marriage equality for Liberal members and senators?

Ms Macklin interjecting—

Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The Member of Jagajaga, the Leader of the Opposition has asked a question. The Prime Minister is seeking to answer it, and you are preventing him from answering a question your own leader has asked. I ask the member for Jagajaga to cease interjecting.

Tony Abbott (Warringah, Liberal Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

By way of introduction, I should observe that the Labor Party is not proposing to offer a free vote to its members. But I was asked on a number of occasions—

Opposition Members:

Opposition members interjecting—

Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Members on my left will cease interjecting. The member for Ballarat will cease interjecting. The member for Griffith will cease interjecting.

Tony Abbott (Warringah, Liberal Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The consciences of members opposite appear to have a use-by date on them. Before the election, I was very clear about our position on the matter of same-sex marriage. I said that if it came up in the next parliament—

Terri Butler (Griffith, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

You're a hypocrite!

Government members: Withdraw!

Tony Abbott (Warringah, Liberal Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

it would be dealt with by the coalition party room in the usual way. That is what I said before the election and that is exactly what will happen.

Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Before I call the next member, I ask the member for Griffith to withdraw that remark.

Terri Butler (Griffith, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I withdraw, thank you, Mr Speaker.