Senator David Leyonhjelm makes personal plea to Tony Abbott in push for same-sex marriage conscience vote

A NEW crossbench Senator is putting same-sex marriage back in the spotlight insisting he won’t be “fobbed off”. And he has a message for Tony Abbott.

SUNDAY TELEGRAPH- Oppostiton leader Tony Abbott pictured with his sister Christine Forster at The Botanical Gardens in Sydney.

A NEW Senator has challenged Tony Abbott to look his sister in the eye, and Bill Shorten to do the same with Penny Wong, over same-sex marriage.

Liberal Democratic Party Senator David Leyonhjelm is preparing to introduce an amendment to the Marriage Act and will horse-trade if he has to, to get a conscience vote.

“I’m not going to be fobbed off on this,” he told reporters in Parliament House this morning.

“For those of you who have a problem with homosexuality for some reason or another, we’re not asking for your approval,” he said. “We merely ask for your tolerance.”

YES I’M GAY: Out and proud Thorpie wants kids

Leyonhjelm insisted it was not the job of government to define relationships.

“I ask you to understand that the liberties you care about should be available to everybody, and that there is no place in Australia for second-class citizens.”

In a direct message to fellow Parliamentarians, the new crossbench Senator urged “closest libertarians” to come out of the closest.

“Today, I challenge Mr Shorten and Labor Party members to look Senator Wong in the eye and tell her she does not deserve equal rights.

“Today, I challenge Mr Abbott and Liberal Party members to do the same with Mr Abbott’s sister.”

“If your private life is nobody else’s business, I ask you to understand that the private life of others is none of your business.’

Same-sex couple ... Senator Penny Wong and partner Sophie Allouache and their daughter Alexandria.

Senator Leyonhjelm’s amendment, which he hopes to bring on in September, will make it possible for people to choose who they can marry.

It will also ensure that marriage celebrants, religious and civil, are free to marry who they want,” he said.

The Liberal Democrat claimed the day will come when people will look back on the idea of governments granting marriage certificates based on gender as “the bizarre misappropriation of power that it is”.

His intention is not to bring on a vote until he is confident MPs will be allowed to vote with their conscience.

“I will only bring it on in the absence of a conscience vote by the Liberals, if it’s clear I’m not going to win them over and get them to agree to it.”

Family ties ... PM Tony Abbott’s sister Christine Forster has been vocal about same-sex marriage.

But he is willing to horse-trade to get his way, suggesting he might frustrate the Abbott government’s attempts to put in place temporary protection visas.

The new Senator agreed marriage equality is not a core issue, arguing if his amendment can be passed, the issue can be resolved and finally off the agenda.

“It’s time. Australia is ready for this. And coming from the perspective of a relatively conservative, straight, middle-aged senator like me, whose vote is important to the government, I think the time is right.”

According to the new Senator his new colleague Family First’s Bob Day won’t be supporting his move and he has not yet spoken to the Palmer United Party.

It’s time ... NSW Liberal Democrat Senator David Leyonhjelm says he will introduce a marriage deregulation amendment bill into the Senate.