Tim Watts (Gellibrand, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Prime Minister. How is his policy on marriage equality any different to the policies of the government when the member for Warringah was the Prime Minister?

Mr Rob Mitchell interjecting—

Ms Julie Bishop interjecting—

Mr Pyne interjecting—

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

The member for McEwen will cease interjecting, as will the foreign minister and the Leader of the House.

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

The policy for a plebiscite was adopted while the member for Warringah was Prime Minister. It was adopted by the cabinet, of which I was a member, endorsed by the party room, of which I was a member, taken to the election—as Prime Minister—endorsed by the Australian people, and now we are delivering on our promise. The question for the honourable member is: why is he so afraid of allowing the Australian people to have their say? Why is he so afraid of asking them what their views are? Why does he believe that we should go to an election with a very clear and very prominent policy —

Mr Watts interjecting—

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

The member for Gellibrand has asked his question.

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

win the election and then not deliver on it? We have offered a process which gives the opposition a direct role in the committee. On the advertising: all of these concerns about advertising can be addressed. They can have the member for Lilley and the member for Watson—staunch opponents of same-sex marriage—on the 'No' committee. Advocates for it can be on the 'Yes' committee. They can be directly involved. This is a fair and transparent process. It is an objective process, and the Labor Party should get behind it.