Clare O'Neil (Hotham, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Prime Minister. Will the Prime Minister allow his members a free vote on the plebiscite legislation he will put to the parliament and will the vote occur before the next election?

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

I thank the honourable member for her question and I appreciate the keen interest she has in this issue. As the honourable member knows, the government's policy is that the question of whether same-sex marriage will be legalised in Australia will be determined by a vote of all Australians by plebiscite, in fact, after the next election. The mechanics for that plebiscite will be the subject of careful consideration by cabinet and then, of course, consideration by the party room. We will deal with this in the traditional manner of a traditional cabinet government. I thank the honourable member for her interest and when the government has more to say on the mechanics, we will do so.

Mr Bowen interjecting—

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

The member for McMahon will cease interjecting.

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

The member for McMahon just interjected. I will just respond to him and the honourable member who asked the question. The fact is that if the plebiscite vote is carried, same-sex marriage will be legal in Australia. I understand that honourable members are under some misapprehension. I do not know what paranoid echo chamber they are living in!

Mr Perrett interjecting—

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

The member for Moreton is now warned.

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

But let me tell you this: if you imagine that this government or any government would spend over $100 million consulting every Australian on an issue of this kind and then ignore their decision, then you really are not living in the real world. We will give every single Australian a vote. You will not; that is the difference. Under our approach, every Australian will have a vote. I know the member for Sydney said yesterday that it was not democratic to give every Australian a vote. Let me tell you, it is perfectly democratic; it gives everyone their say. What sort of latter-day Leninism approach to democracy is it when the people do not get a say?

Ms O'Neil interjecting—

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

The member for Hotham is warned.

Mr Danby interjecting—

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

It is good to hear from the member for Melbourne Ports. It is the first time he has interjected today other than referring to Vladimir Putin, about whom he seems to have a complete obsession!

Ms Butler interjecting—

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

The member for Griffith is warned.

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

It is quite clear that every Australian will get a vote and that vote will be respected. If the vote is carried, it will become law.

Michael Danby (Melbourne Ports, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Parliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Opposition) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Soft on Putin!

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

The member for Melbourne Ports is now warned. He will not interject again.