Senator Eric Abetz has called for senior members of the Abbott Government to resign over their support for marriage equality.

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Speaking on SBS radio the government’s leader in the upper house said Ministers who do not agree with party’s policy on marriage should do the honourable thing and resign from their positions.

Senator Abetz demand for resignations comes as a cross party private members bill marriage equality is announced. Liberal Warren Entsch, backed by Labor’s Terri Butler, the Greens’ Adam Bandt and independent Andrew Wilke, are sponsoring the bill.

“The tradition is there for all to see and I think it is an Honourable tradition and it is a tradition that I have tried to follow in my 21 years in the Parliament, and I think it is the only fair and reasonable position in relation to your other colleagues.

“This is not a matter of conscience. This is a matter of party policy that has been through the party room, through the various forums of the Liberal and National Parties, through the Coalition, the position is very strong and this is not a conscience issue, this is a policy issue.” Mr Abetz said.

Liberal front benchers who have voiced their support for marriage equality include Malcolm Turnbull, Simon Birmingham, Josh Frydenberg and Kelly O’Dwyer.

The interview with SBS radio caps off a day of the conservative politicians offensive against marriage equality. Earlier in the day on SKY News Mr Abetz said that marriage was strictly between a man and a woman and should not be opened up to “the latest fad”.

Mr Abetz said that allowing same sex couples to wed would be opening a Pandora’s Box of problems including polyamorous relationships.

Earlier in the morning Mr Abetz appeared on ABC radio and argued that Australia should not legalise marriage for same sex couples because no countries in Asia had allowed it.

“The Labor Party and other journalists tell us time and time again that we are living in the Asian century, tell me how many Asian countries have redefined marriage?” Mr Abetz asked.

“Are we in the Asian century or not? It’s amazing how certain people try to pick and choose in relation to debates. All of the sudden the United States, which is usually condemned, is now being celebrated on this bizarre decision of a 5-4 decision in the Supreme Court.”

Speaking to reporters today the Prime Minister Tony Abbott repeated the position put forward by his spokesperson yesterday – a private members bill is unlikely to be discussed on the party room, or scheduled for a vote.

“It’s quite unusual for private members bills to come on for debate and vote in the Parliament. I have been in the Parliament now for 21 years and there’s only been from memory two or three occasions when a private members bill has come on for debate and vote.” Mr Abbott told reporters.

“The normal processes will be followed. I think that this is an important subject, but so are all the subjects that people bring to the Parliament by way of private members legislation. Let’s see what the Selection Committee decides, but the point I make is that we will treat this in an absolutely normal and straightforward way.”

Liberal MP Andrew Nikolic, who is a member of the committee that schedules when legislation will be debated has said he does not believe gay marriage will be on the parliamentary agenda any time soon. Mr Nikoloc is quoted as saying that anyone who expects a vote on this issue soon has “rocks in their head”.

OIP Staff