SBS journalist and Mardi Gras host Patrick Abboud reveals rare insight into the life of Tony Abbott’s lesbian sister

IT’S a common story. Journalist sits down with high profile figure to conduct an intimate behind-the-scenes interview. It goes well — until a certain question is asked.

IT’S a common story. Journalist sits down with high profile figure to conduct an intimate behind-the-scenes interview which is going really well.

But then the journalist asks a certain question or two, and the conversation soon turns heated.

So what exactly did SBS journalist Patrick Abboud ask Christine Forster that turned a casual chat into a robust discussion?

Abboud, who was invited into the home of the PM’s sister and her partner Virginia Edwards, asked if she thought it was hypocritical that she lobbied for same sex marriage while happily accepting her own brother would never do the same.

Ms Forster told Abboud her brother accepted her for who she was and his beliefs were his own.

But when pressed further on the issue, the City of Sydney councillor and fellow journalist became almost defensive of her Prime Minister brother.

Virginia Edwards and Christine Forster have been together for around seven years. Picture: Screengrab.

Abboud, who is a journalist for The Feed and co-host of the 2015 Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras, spent a day with the couple, capturing a rare glimpse into their private lives.

Abboud said he built up a good rapport with both women who he said were open, welcoming and very personable.

“Chris and Virginia are lovely, just regular lesbians about town,” Abboud said.

“They shared with me a rare insight into their very personal lives. I felt like I’d made a couple of new friends by the end of our chat.”

But when it came to mentioning Tony Abbott and the subject of same-sex marriage, things were not so rosy.

He said they discussed family and how hard it was coming out as an older, grown up married person, but things soon turned “frustrating”.

“It was a little frustrating as these women let me into their private lives, which was a real privilege, but I feel like there’s this standard line they push when it comes to Christine’s brothers staunch opposition to marriage equality and I wanted to cut through that” Abboud told news.com.au.

THE BROTHER/SISTER RELATIONSHIP:

Abboud said it was clear Ms Forster was very close to her brother who loved her no matter what.

The pair have obvious differences despite both being members of the Liberal Party.

Ms Forster insists they are very close and maintain such a relationship.

“Tony was of all my immediate family members, was the most supportive,” she tells Abboud of the time she came out.

“People raise their eyebrows when I tell them this but it’s the honest truth.”

Tony Abbott pictured with his sister Christine Forster.

ON TONY:

Ms Forster admitted while her brother has made mistakes he is still the best person for the top job. And while he wouldn’t support same sex marriage, she told Abboud he supported her relationship and that’s what mattered.

Abboud then asked if this could be seen as hypocritical given she’s a big supporter of marriage equality.

Ms Forster said they each had their own beliefs on the issue, refusing to be drawn further on the subject.

“There’s a whole bunch of contradictions,” Abboud said.

“She stands as a backer of marriage equality, yet she agrees her brother’s policies are conservative and stand in the way of legislation.”

Christine Forster gives a revealing insight to Pat Abboud on her life with partner Virginia Edwards and her close relationship with her brother Tony Abbott. Picture: Screengrab.

Ms Forster, who once described herself as “a small-l liberal and a big-L lesbian”, said she was “absolutely 100 per cent in support of marriage equality” even if her brother was not.

“My brother holds a different view. He believes in the terms of the marriage act as they exist at the moment,” she said in an interview last year.

She also revealed her brother’s views were unlikely to change and has accepted that.

“He believes in marriage as it is defined in the Marriage Act and I don’t think he’ll ever change his personal view but what he will do is listen to his party,” Ms Forster said.

“He has signalled that marriage equality is open for discussion in the party room.

“I think the people within the Liberal Party are of the view that they should have a conscience vote on marriage equality. He is entitled to have his opinion and he’s a man of great conviction.

“He and I have a difference — that’s what happens in families and that’s where it stays.”

The couple invited journalist Pat Abboud into their home to film an initiate behind-the-scenes look at their lives. Picture: Screengrab.

ON COMING OUT:

Ms Foster’s journey on coming out was, according to Abboud, a long journey.

“Coming out is hard enough, but coming out later in life, is that much harder especially when you’ve got children. Christine and Virginia have made very difficult and brave decisions … it was by no means easy for them,” he said.

But there was one person in Ms Foster’s life who made that journey easier — her brother.

“When I told him what was going on his response was whatever you think you have to do I will support you” she told Abboud.

Partner Virginia was just as candid in her appraisal of the PM.

“Outwardly, and from the love he’s shown me, he certainly hasn’t made me feel that I’m not welcome and I’m not loved” she said.

Christine Forster and Virginia Edwards are engaged to be married.

WHAT YOU MAY NOT KNOW ABOUT CHRISTINE FORSTER:

• Christine Forster is not only a politician, but is also a journalist

• Ms Forster and Ms Edwards have a large circle of friends and live a very social life

• The women have six children between them

• Ms Forster enjoys a close relationship with her brother

• The couple regularly spend time with Margie Abbott, outside of her husband’s presence

• Ms Forster and Ms Edwards have been together for seven years and became engaged in March 2013.

For the full story, tune into The Feed tonight at 7.30pm on SBS 2.

Patrick Abboud has also produced an intimate portrait of Christine and Virginia which will be featured as part of SBS’s Mardi Gras broadcast on Sunday March 8, 8.30pm on SBS ONE.

Continue the conversation @newscomHQ | @PatrickAbboud and @TheFeedSBS2

Abboud said the two women enjoyed a close relationship with the PM and his wife Margie. Picture: Screengrab.