PM pushes for public vote on gay marriage, page-54

I am not aware of any urgency.

Given gay marriage is now on the table one cant help but note Abbott is blocking a conscience vote of his members purely in an effort to sure up his position as leader. The hard right recalcitrants would not look favorably upon their champion should gay marriage come to pass on his watch, he could lose support should a spill for his position eventuate.

So the clear urgency for Abbott is for gay marriage to be put of until he is out of office.