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

My question is to the Prime Minister. I refer to reports that the Catholic Archbishop of Sydney, Anthony Fisher, and the Anglican Archbishop of Sydney, Glenn Davies, have written to the Attorney-General complaining they have been shut out of negotiations—

Mr Dutton interjecting—

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

The member for Griffith will resume her seat. The minister for immigration will cease interjecting. I am seeking to hear the question. I am going to call the member for Griffith again. The member for Griffith can start again. The clock will restart.

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

My question is to the Prime Minister. I refer to reports that the Catholic Archbishop of Sydney, Anthony Fisher, and the Anglican Archbishop of Sydney, Glenn Davies, have written to the Attorney-General complaining they have been shut out of negotiations about the plebiscite. Are they part of current negotiations with the government? Is this what the Prime Minister means when he says, 'So far, so good'?

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

As I have said elsewhere publicly, the Attorney-General has been conducting discussions with interested parties and stakeholders in the same-sex marriage debate and that does include the church leaders. I have met with the Catholic archbishop—I have mentioned this fairly recently—and the government continues to discuss matters, as does the Special Minister of State. There has been a wide range of ongoing consultation. We are a very consultative cabinet government.