Don Farrell (SA, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for the Centenary of ANZAC) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the minister representing the Prime Minister, Senator Brandis. What is the government's position on public funding of the 'yes' and the 'no' campaigns for its proposed marriage equality plebiscite?

George Brandis (Queensland, Liberal Party, Attorney-General) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Thank you very much indeed, Senator Farrell. I think I would be joined by most, if not all, of your colleagues in welcoming you back to the Senate. You are one of our favourite Labor senators—and we do not have many!

Don Farrell (SA, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for the Centenary of ANZAC) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

On a point of order, Mr President—I am everybody's favourite senator.

Stephen Parry (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

That is no point of order, Senator Farrell.

George Brandis (Queensland, Liberal Party, Attorney-General) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Farrell, you may well be right. Senator Farrell, as you know, at the recent election the government committed to having this matter disposed of by the parliament taking into consideration the views of the Australian people as demonstrated in a plebiscite. I will shortly be taking to the cabinet a submission to give effect to that commitment. That was a commitment that was endorsed by the Australian people at the recent election. As you know, Senator Farrell, questions of the kind which you raise are aspects of the design and architecture of that plebiscite. It will be considered by the cabinet, it will be considered by our party room through its ordinary processes, and when a decision is made I will make an announcement at the appropriate time.

Stephen Parry (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

A supplementary question, Senator Farrell.

Don Farrell (SA, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for the Centenary of ANZAC) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Has the Prime Minister committed, either publicly or privately, to funding the 'no' campaign as part of his proposed plebiscite?

George Brandis (Queensland, Liberal Party, Attorney-General) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The government's position, as expressed by the Prime Minister, as expressed by me, as expressed by other ministers, is perfectly clear: if there is public funding, it will be in equal shares between the 'yes' and the 'no' case.

Stephen Parry (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

A final supplementary question, Senator Farrell.

Don Farrell (SA, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for the Centenary of ANZAC) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I refer to the statement by the Anglican Archbishop of Sydney, the Most Reverend Dr Glenn Davies, who says that the Prime Minister gave an unambiguous offer to fund the 'no' campaign. Who should the Australian people believe, the Archbishop or the Prime Minister?

George Brandis (Queensland, Liberal Party, Attorney-General) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I am not going to comment on a meeting which I did not attend. I have seen the remarks attributed to His Grace the Archbishop. It would not be the first time in the history of the world that different people had different recollections of a conversation. But I can assure you that the government's position has been entirely consistent, and has never changed from the first day to this—if there is public funding, it will be in equal shares.