PM pushes for public vote on gay marriage, page-31

It's not only Labor/Greens that are elevating gay marriage as an important issue. Abbott himself stated "Do not underestimate the magnitude of this as a cultural shift." In Abbott's mind (at least according to his public statements) it's precisely because the issue is so important that steps need to be taken slowly. That view doesn't really seem to accord with the public either in this country or most of the western world, where the majority of the population regard marriage equality as a no brainer.

Reaper.