Pauline Hanson (Queensland, Pauline Hanson's One Nation Party) Share this | Hansard source

My question is to the Attorney-General, Senator Brandis. Marriage is not defined in the Australian Constitution, as it is in the Irish constitution. A constitutional definition of marriage would ensure any further changes would be decided by the majority of Australians in another referendum. In addition, a referendum on marriage equality would have saved taxpayers millions of dollars if it had been held at the same time as the next federal election. Keysar Trad, the former President of the Australian Federation of Islamic Councils, has been reported as saying, 'Same-sex marriage is wrong.' Instead he wants polygamous marriage recognised, to give Islamic multiple marriages equality. My question is, Minister, will the government support a referendum to give Australians the right to decide how marriage is defined in the Australian Constitution, whether it is between a man and a woman, or a man and a woman and people of the same sex?