Looks like a little common sense is creeping back in.... If there is a big enough pushback from the public each time this issue is raised, the govt will be forced to deal with the dissenters. Like it or not.
Queensland Liberals Trevor Evans, Warren Entsch under fire over same-sex stance
Liberal MP Warren Entsch has come under attack over his stance on same-sex marriage. Picture: AAP
Queensland Liberal MPs Trevor Evans and Warren Entsch have been publicly criticised by party bosses over their calls this week for the Turnbull Government to dump its election commitment to hold a plebiscite on same sex marriage and resolve the issue in a parliamentary vote.
In a letter to members this afternoon, Queensland’s Liberal National Party president Gary Spence said he was disappointed that MPs elected under the party banner were now defying party policy.
Mr Spence did not specifically name Mr Entsch or Mr Trevor – a first-term MP who claims to be Queensland’s first “openly gay MP’’ – but says he was writing the letter after the same sex marriage issue received extensive media coverage in recent days.
Mr Evans, who holds the marginal seat of Brisbane and who contested the election against openly gay Labor candidate Pat O’Neill, this week told The Australian that several options were being canvassed within the Liberal party to bring on a parliamentary vote in the parliament.
The comments has sparked infighting within the Liberals and outrage among The Nationals.
In the letter, Mr Spence said the LNP policy was against changing the Marriage Act and that the outspoken MPs – which have this week included Mr Entsch, a Cairns-based MP and longtime gay marriage advocate – should adhere to the government line of a plebiscite on the issue.
“Over recent days the issue of Same Sex Marriage has again received extensive media coverage,’’ Mr Spence said in the letter.
“Unfortunately, some elected members of the LNP have been contributors to the commentary by canvassing options to introduce a Private Member’s Bill and to abandon a plebiscite in favour of a conscience vote by Parliament.
Trevor Evans has been criticised in a letter sent by Queensland LNP chief Gary Spence. Picture: Lyndon Mechielsen
“Let me say at the outset, the LNP’s position on changing the definition of marriage under the Marriage Act 1961 is perfectly clear – the LNP believes there should be no change to the definition.’’
Mr Spence said the issue was recently debated at the LNP state convention which voted in favour of a motion calling for a postal plebiscite on the issue.
Nationals Senator Barry O’Sullivan and Immigration minister Peter Dutton - who both oppose same sex marriage – have championed a postal plebiscite by the Australian public after enabling government legislation for a plebiscite was defeated in the senate by Labor and The Greens.
Mr Spence said MPs should support the postal plebiscite
“if there were contrary opinions, our members had the opportunity to test them on the floor of our 2017 Convention held just two weeks ago,’’ he said.
“I am disappointed that views that do not accord with the Party’s policy have been aired publicly.
“I am equally disappointed that members elected under the LNP banner have chosen to take a position that defies LNP policy and the wishes of the LNP’s membership.
“On issues such as this, which are fundamental to our Australian values, culture and democracy, we should never resile from giving all Australians an opportunity to have their say and cast their vote.
“The community has a valid expectation that their elected parliamentarians should work to solve the issues that really matter to them – job security, reducing household costs, capping electricity prices and much more.’’
Earlier, a frustrated Malcolm Turnbull has avoided answering questions about whether the government will pursue a postal plebiscite on same sex marriage.
Mr Turnbull reiterated that the Coalition’s policy on the issue has not changed.
The Prime Minister’s statement comes after key conservative cabinet minister Mathias Cormann backed his comments yesterday that MPs in favour of same sex marriage have the right to cross the floor, saying the PM was simply making a “statement of fact”.
