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

My question is to the Prime Minister. Given the Prime Minister has said he does not want marriage equality to be 'a live issue all the way up to the next election', will the Prime Minister allow a free vote on the co-sponsored private members' bill currently before the parliament?

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

I thank the honourable member for her question. I have to remind the honourable member of some answers I gave a few weeks ago. The coalition government's policy is that the matter of legalising same-sex marriage will be determined by a plebiscite, by a national vote, in which every single Australian will have a vote. I do not want to make any assumptions about what the honourable member was doing in 1999 but, let me tell you, I was leading the 'yes' case for a referendum. Let me tell you, perhaps, for the benefit of the honourable member. Let me share a bit of my experience.

Ms Butler interjecting —

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

The member for Griffith has already been warned!

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

We were arguing for a model in which an Australian President would be chosen by a joint sitting of both houses of parliament—a very good model, indeed, and many of my colleagues, here, supported it. But, I am afraid to say, there were quite a few people who opposed it and said, 'Give the people their say.' I regret to say, that was extremely popular. People like having a say. People like having a vote.

The position that we are taking is one in which this issue—an important issue—will be determined by plebiscite. It is a perfectly democratic approach. Yes, it will take more time. Yes, it will cost more money. Yes, in my view, it will be carried, but time will tell. I will certainly vote for it, but it will be a national vote. On the hustings, the honourable member will be saying to the electors of Griffith: 'None of you should have a say. Vote for me and I will have a say!' And your Liberal opponent will be saying: 'All of you can have a say.' They will be saying every single one can have a say.

Tanya Plibersek (Sydney, Australian Labor Party, Deputy Leader of the Opposition) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr Speaker, I have a point of order on relevance. I would like to know if the Prime Minister is going to have a plebiscite on the GST, on increasing—

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

No, you cannot ask the question. The member for Sydney will resume her seat. It is not a point of order. The Prime Minister has concluded his answer.

Honourable members interjecting—

When members cease interjecting, we will resume question time. I remind the member for Herbert, the clock is running or it should be.