Tanya Plibersek (Sydney, Australian Labor Party, Deputy Leader of the Opposition) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr Speaker, very briefly on indulgence, can I associate the opposition with the Prime Minister's remarks and congratulate our security and intelligence organisations on the work they've done in this instance and on the work they do every day to keep Australians safe.

My question is to the Prime Minister. I refer to the Prime Minister's postal plebiscite on marriage equality. Why is it that a no vote will be binding on the government but a yes vote will not?

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

The commitment we took to the election was simply this: we would give all Australians their say. If they supported same-sex marriage being legalised, we would facilitate a bill, a private member's bill, coming forward into the parliament. If they did not support it, we would not. That was the commitment we took to the election, and that's what we are endeavouring to deliver. The opposition has the opportunity to vote for the plebiscite bill this week in the House. If they don't, there will be a postal vote, and every Australian will have their say.

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

Members will cease interjecting on both sides. The member for Ballarat, the member for Wakefield and the member for Barker won't commence their normal interchange across the chamber; otherwise, they will be doing it outside very shortly.