Same-sex vote to be binding, says Malcolm Turnbull

Malcolm Turnbull has vowed to hold a binding plebiscite on same-sex marriage if the Coalition wins the next election.

Malcolm Turnbull has committed the Coalition to holding a plebiscite on same-sex marriage if it wins the election and declared it will be bound by the people’s vote, whatever the outcome.

The Prime Minister said yesterday a people’s vote on same-sex marriage was not his favoured option and he had supported a free vote for all MPs on legislation but he was now fully committed to a plebiscite.

“It’s perfectly democratic. There will be a plebiscite. That’s our policy. And if the majority of people voting in the plebiscite vote in favour of it, then same-sex marriage will be legalised,” he said on Melbourne radio station 3AW yesterday.

Mr Turnbull’s comments followed Tony Abbott’s speech in New York saying a plebiscite was the best way to go and would carry the authority of the people “whichever way” it went.

When he was prime minister, Mr Abbott opted for a people’s vote on same-sex marriage rather than a vote by parliamentarians.

There have been mounting calls to drop the idea of a plebiscite because of cost and signs some Coalition MPs would not accept the outcome.

Overnight in New York, Mr Abbott said a plebiscite was the best way to resolve the issue but argued strongly for the retention of marriage as being between a man and a woman. In a strong and highly personal defence of traditional marriage to an audience of 150, including UN representatives, he urged policymakers to hold on to the best traditions and institutions.

Speaking at a dinner hosted by the conservative Alliance Defending Freedom group, Mr Abbott called for respect during the debate, and less “shouting” and ideology, and revisited his preference for a plebiscite.

“I made the decision that it would be easier for Australians who feel strongly about same-sex marriage to accept a decision — either way — if it were made by the whole people, not just by the parliament,” he said.

If the Coalition were returned, MPs who supported same-sex marriage would be asked to finalise a bill to make it legal and provide protections for those who disagree. “That bill will then be put to the people at a plebiscite,” he said. “This is the best way to decide something that’s so important but so personal: it’s to let the people decide so that the decision, whichever way it goes, will have their authority.”