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

My question is to the Prime Minister. Just last month, when speaking about marriage equality, the Prime Minister said:

The reason I haven't advocated a plebiscite after the next election is that it would mean, it will mean, that this issue is a live issue all the way up to the next election …

Why did the Prime Minister tell the Australian people one thing only a month ago—but is now doing exactly the opposite?

Ms Henderson interjecting—

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

The member for Corangamite will cease interjecting.

Malcolm Turnbull (Wentworth, Liberal Party, Minister for Communications) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The honourable member fails to understand that there was a debate within our party as to the manner in which—

Ms Macklin interjecting—

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

The member for Jagajaga is now warned.

Malcolm Turnbull (Wentworth, Liberal Party, Minister for Communications) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

the decision on marriage equality should be taken: whether it should be a free vote in the parliament or whether it should be a plebiscite and at what time the plebiscite should be. All of those options had advantages and disadvantages and they all had merit—each of them completely and utterly democratic. They do not go to the principle—the substantive question. It is simply a matter of resolving it. Our parties, our government, have decided that it will be dealt with—

Mr Griffin interjecting—

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

The member for Bruce will cease interjecting.

Malcolm Turnbull (Wentworth, Liberal Party, Minister for Communications) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

by a vote of all Australians after the next election. The opposition are free to criticise that. They are free to say there should be another technique, but we have made that decision. It is thoroughly democratic. Every Australian will get a vote. At the next election—

Ms King interjecting—

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

The member for Ballarat will cease interjecting.

Ms King interjecting—

The member for Ballarat is warned.

Malcolm Turnbull (Wentworth, Liberal Party, Minister for Communications) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

the Leader of the Opposition will be saying, 'Vote Labor so you, the Australian people, can't get a direct say yourselves on this issue.' Bill Shorten will say, 'Vote for me because you should not be able to express your own opinions.' I forbear from giving the Leader of the Opposition political advice.

Ms Plibersek interjecting—

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

The member for Sydney will cease interjecting.

Malcolm Turnbull (Wentworth, Liberal Party, Minister for Communications) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I know that politicians never look at polls, but the fact is that every single poll that has looked at this question of whether there should be a plebiscite or a free vote is overwhelmingly in favour of a plebiscite. If you go to people and say, 'Do you want to have a direct say in this yourself or do you want the politicians to make the decision for you?' they will invariably say, 'We want to have a say ourselves.' And why wouldn't they?

Dr Chalmers interjecting—

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

The member for Rankin is warned.

Malcolm Turnbull (Wentworth, Liberal Party, Minister for Communications) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

So why does the Leader of the Opposition keep on flogging this dead horse? The proposal he has, that he is taking to the election, is going to be inherently—

Ms King interjecting—

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

I remind the member for Ballarat that she is warned.

Malcolm Turnbull (Wentworth, Liberal Party, Minister for Communications) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

less popular with the Australian people. So we are very comfortable going to the election on the basis that, if you elect a Labor government, the parliament, the parliamentarians, will decide the matter on marriage equality; if you vote for the coalition, it will be every single Australian having a direct—

Mr Tony Burke (Watson, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Finance) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr Speaker, I rise on a point of order.

Mr Husic interjecting—

Government members interjecting—

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

The member for Chifley has been warned. Members on my right will cease interjecting. The member for Hasluck will resume his seat. Member for Watson, do you still require the call?

Mr Tony Burke (Watson, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Finance) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr Speaker, on direct relevance: the party meeting that the Prime Minister is referring to was prior to the date of the quote that was given.

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

The Prime Minister has completed his answer.