Louise Pratt (WA, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for the Environment, Climate Change and Water) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question this afternoon is to the Attorney-General, Senator Brandis. My question is: can the Attorney-General confirm that he considers LGBTIQ advocates who do not support the government's marriage equality plebiscite to be fools?

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

No, I do not, but I do think it is very foolish for those who wish to see marriage equality, as you do and I do, to pass up the best and nearest opportunity to achieve that outcome soon.

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

Senator Pratt, a supplementary question.

Louise Pratt (WA, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for the Environment, Climate Change and Water) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I refer to a recent letter from 196 healthcare professionals warning the Prime Minister of the dangers of the government's marriage equality plebiscite. Does the Attorney-General consider these 196 healthcare professionals to be fools?

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

No, I most certainly do not, but again, if you believe—as obviously the signatories to that letter do and as evidently you do—this is a harmful debate which may potentially have effects on the mental health of vulnerable gay people, why on earth would you not wish to draw it to a close soon rather than prolong it for years?

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

Senator Pratt, a final supplementary question.

Louise Pratt (WA, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for the Environment, Climate Change and Water) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I refer to recent research which demonstrates 55 per cent of voters support a parliamentary vote on marriage equality. Support for the Turnbull government's plebiscite has fallen to 38 per cent and falls to 20 per cent when voters are made aware of its costs and the fact that it is not binding on this parliament. Does the Attorney-General consider the majority of Australians to be fools?

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

No. Going into the election, some 70 per cent of Australians, including a majority of every political loyalty, supported a plebiscite, and we took a policy committing to a plebiscite to an election which we won, and you now are asking us to break an election promise. I understand perfectly well that different people may have different views about the desirability of dealing with this matter by a plebiscite, but the fact is—and you cannot rewind history—that this is a commitment we made at an election and we intend to keep to that commitment. If—as I know you do, Senator; I accept your good faith, of course, on this issue—you want to see this outcome soon then I would urge you to embrace the shortest path to it.