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 Anglican Archbishop of Sydney has said that the Prime Minister gave an unambiguous commitment to provide taxpayer funding for a no campaign against marriage equality, a commitment the Prime Minister's office has strongly denied. Is the Prime Minister accusing the archbishop of lying? Has the Prime Minister given any commitment to anyone for any public funding for the marriage equality plebiscite campaign?

Government Members:

Government members interjecting—

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

Members on my right, I was having difficulty hearing the question. The Leader of the House, the Treasurer and the member for Corangamite are delaying the Prime Minister receiving the call.

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

I thank the honourable member for his question. As he knows, the matter of funding for the plebiscite will be decided by the cabinet, and, as I have said publicly on many occasions, any funding provided in respect of the arguments—yes or no—in the plebiscite will be provided equally, in accordance with past practice. They will be provided equally. The details, manner and amounts will be determined by the cabinet.

Opposition Members:

Opposition members interjecting—

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

Members on my left! The member for McMahon will cease interjecting. The member for Isaacs and the member for Jagajaga are not going to interject continually through question time. I am making that really clear. You will not be interjecting continually through question time. We will work out how that is achieved.