Tony Abbott’s daughter Frances Abbott campaigns for ‘Yes’ vote in marriage equality video

TONY Abbott’s daughter has opened up about her “Aunty Chris” and the divisions in her own family about the legalisation of same-sex marriage.

TONY Abbott’s daughter Frances Abbott has officially endorsed the “Yes” campaign for same-sex marriage and opened up about the division within her family on the issue.

The fashion student turned bikini model is the latest spokeswoman for the Australian Marriage Equality campaign.

Featured in a new video released this morning, Frances, 26, speaks about how much she would like to be a part of her aunty Chris’s wedding — referring to Liberal Councillor Christine Forster — and how her opinions differ from her conservative father who has become a leading voice for the “No” campaign.

Frances’s messages is all about love.

“You can’t help who you fall in love with,” she begins.

“Love just happens sometimes and it’s unexpected, that’s kind of what’s the awesome thing about it.”

‘It really doesn’t make sense to me that it’s not allowed’. Picture: Australian Marriage Equality/Supplied

Speaking of her aunt’s relationship with partner Virginia Edwards, Frances says their falling in love “just happened”.

“It never really changed anything. She was still Aunty Chris. She’s still going to be at Christmas, she’s still going to be at the family barbecues, her children are still my cousins,” she says.

“This is why it really just doesn’t make sense to me that it’s not allowed.”

Frances goes on to say that to see her aunty married in Australia is something she “so, so hopes” to be a part of.

“I think it would make society a much better place. Less fear of discrimination, fear of isolation and loneliness. It has to change, and it will change,” she says.

Frances said she wants to be part of Virginia Edwards and Christine Forster’s wedding in Australia. Picture: Danny Aarons/AAP

Frances Abbott with her Aunty Chris. Picture: Australian Marriage Equality/Supplied

Touching on the rainbow elephant in the room, Frances admits it’s “well known” that within her family there are people who “sit on the other side of the fence”.

However, she hinted that her father, the former prime minister, wouldn’t be offended by her opinion.

“My mother and father raised me to stand up for what I believe in,” she says.

Frances first showed her public support for marriage equality in an Instagram post, wearing a “Vote Yes” T-shirt with the message “all love is good” just over a week ago.

In the new video, she explains why she felt compelled to wade into the debate.

“I posted that picture on Instagram to show this is what I think is right,” she says.

“In my post I said I’m not into politics, but this it more than politics. What this comes down to is love.”

Frances admits some members of her family ‘sit on the other side of the fence’. Picture: Marianna Massey/Getty Images

Frances Abbott first noted her support for the Yes vote in an Instagram post earlier this month. Picture: Frances Abbott/Instagram

Frances is the third member of the Abbott family to enter the public debate around marriage equality.

Tony Abbott has routinely made headlines since becoming one of the first public figures to kick off the “No” campaign. Recognition for his protest peaked last week when he claimed he was headbutted by a man wearing a “Yes” badge.

Mr Abbott’s sister, Ms Forster, has also been a prominent campaigner on the other side.

Already a high profile supporter of same-sex marriage, Ms Forster was part of the Liberal Party’s “Yes” campaign launch, speaking in support of marriage reform alongside Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull.

Frances Abbott also made headlines recently for making her bodybuilding debut at the weekend.