Bill Shorten (Maribyrnong, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Before I go to my question, on indulgence, I just wonder—there's been a pretty important High Court decision—

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

The Leader of the Opposition will come to his question or resume his seat. He's not a reporter for the High Court.

Honourable members interjecting—

Members on my right! I've already cautioned the Minister for Immigration and Border Protection. He is warned as well.

Bill Shorten (Maribyrnong, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I note the High Court's decision moments ago in relation to the Prime Minister's $122 million postal survey on marriage equality. Will the Prime Minister work with the community to show his active support for marriage equality, and will the Prime Minister now accept my invitation to write a joint letter to every Australian to support voting 'yes' in the survey?

Mr Pyne interjecting—

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

The Leader of the House will cease interjecting.

Honourable members interjecting—

Members on my right!

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

The Leader of the Opposition must be relieved that the promise he gave to the Australian Christian Lobby in 2013 is now being delivered by the coalition. He went there to the Australian Christian Lobby and he said, 'I think every Australian should have their say.' He did. I assume that was his heartfelt conviction, or was he simply telling people what they wanted to hear? You know, Mr Speaker, I fear it may have been the case that he was just being his old disingenuous self, telling people what they want to hear. And here he is now—having done everything he could in this parliament to stop Australians having their say, much to his disappointment now every Australian will have their say. And that is as it should be, and we encourage every Australian to vote in this survey, to have their say. As I've said in this House and in many other places, Lucy and I will be voting yes, and I will be encouraging others to vote yes, but, above all, I encourage every Australian to have their say, because, unlike the Leader of the Opposition, I respect every Australian's view on this matter, and I thoroughly reject the way in which he has sought to vilify and demonise people who have a different view to him. This is a great example where every Australian can have a say and we can, as the Commonwealth of Australia, embrace this important social change, consider it and make a decision.

Rob Mitchell (McEwen, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

You are full of crap!

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

The Prime Minister will resume his seat. The member for McEwen will withdraw that remark.

Rob Mitchell (McEwen, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I withdraw.

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

And he will now withdraw from the chamber.

Mr Rob Mitchell interjecting—

Member for McEwen, you'd better be very careful what you say. You know the rules very well.

The member for McEwen then left the chamber.

The Prime Minister has concluded his answer.