Pressure builds for free vote on same-sex marriage

A FREE vote on same-sex marriage could be held in federal parliament by Christmas under a compromise to deal with the issue ahead of a potentially heated Liberal party room debate next week.

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A FREE vote on same-sex marriage could be held in federal parliament by Christmas under a compromise to deal with the issue ahead of a potentially heated Liberal party room debate next week.

The Herald Sun understands pro-gay marriage advocates within the Liberals could reluctantly support the Turnbull Government’s policy of a public vote on the issue — run by postal vote — if it was tied to a commitment of a free vote following the process.

Senior members of the Coalition — including Immigration Minister Peter Dutton — have pushed for a postal vote on the issue after Labor, the Greens and key crossbenchers blocked plans for a plebiscite last year.

It is understood the non-compulsory postal vote would cost around $40 million — $120 million less than budgeted for a plebiscite which would have been held last February if it had gained support.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull. Picture: Lawrence Pinder

Critically no taxpayer-funded money would be given to run a “Yes” or “No” campaign.

The government would not need support of parliament to run a postal vote.

But with the postal vote’s result open to a potential legal challenge, it is understood a free vote for all parliamentarians — as early as November — could follow the process.

Conservative MPs maintain the government must stick to its election promise of giving all Australians the chance to have their say but senior government sources say the postal plebiscite would honour that commitment.

But in return moderate Liberals would want a commitment to a free vote to reassure supporters of the reform that it was not a delaying tactic.

One source said: “A postal plebiscite would be advisory only. No one could argue that a vote should not follow because it is non-binding. People could look at the results and vote how they like.”

Pro-gay marriage supporters during a rally in Sydney. Picture: AFP Photo/Saeed Khan

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull ordered an emergency meeting be held in Canberra on Monday in what looms as a stern test for his leadership.

A secret ballot of Liberal MPs to settle on a policy will likely be used to end 10 days of bitter debate.

West Australian Liberal senator Dean Smith has prepared private members’ legislation to introduce to the parliament, while four Liberal MPs — Victorian Tim Wilson, NSW’s Trent Zimmerman and Queenslanders Warren Entsch and Trevor Evans — haven’t ruled out crossing the floor to bring on a vote.