Malcolm Turnbull (Wentworth, Liberal Party, Minister for Communications) Share this | Hansard source

I thank the honourable member for her question and I respect her very deep interest in this issue. Marriage equality, or same-sex marriage, is a very significant issue on which people of good faith, the best faith, honestly have different opinions both on the honourable member's side of the House and on our side of the House. Historically, issues of this type have been resolved in parliament by free votes. The honourable member is correct in referring to that. Another way of dealing with this is by a vote of the people. Our government has decided that the resolution of this matter will be determined by a vote of all the people via a plebiscite to be held after the next election.

Mr Dreyfus interjecting—

I hear the honourable member for Isaacs calling it 'a sell out'. It underlines the utter failure of the opposition to approach issues in other than a thoroughly ideological way. The object is to ensure that Australians—

Ms Kate Ellis interjecting—

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