WA Liberal Senator Dean Smith has described Governor General Quentin Bryce’s comments on marriage equality and Australia becoming a republic, as a “slap in the face”.
Delivering the final Boyer Lecture for 2013 in Sydney the Governor General said she looked forward to an Australia where “people are free to love and marry whom they choose.”
The Governor General’s speech was on the theme of ‘Advance Australia Fair’. During her speech the Governor General also said she hoped for a day when a young Australia boy or girl grew up to become our nation’s first head of state, signally a support for the country becoming a republic.
Speaking to the ABC, WA Senator Dean Smith said the Governor General and crossed the line and her comments were a significant breach of trust.
“Last night’s departure into current political events will come as a slap in the face to many, many Australians, and a significant breach of trust because she would know better than most that that central office is so integral to stay above the day to day political fray,” Smith said.
“She has stepped across the line in inviting a commentary around two very, very sensitive issues.”
Mr Smith was endorsed as a Liberal Senator in 2012, replacing the late Senator Judith Adams. Smith who has been a member of the Liberal Party since he was 17, previously worked for Liberal politicians Richard Court, Bronwyn Bishop and John Howard.
Mr Smith, who is the first openly gay member of the Liberal Party in federal parliament, has previously declared that he is not supportive of marriage equality.
OIP Staff
