Former Prime Minister Tony Abbott has confirmed that he would respect the result of a plebiscite on marriage equality.
The member for Warringah has told SKY News that if a plebiscite showed a majority of Australians wanted the laws changed he’d honour those wishes.
Mr Abbott said he was personally against allowing same sex marriage but would support the outcome whatever it may be.
Mr Abbott’s comments come as several coalition backbenchers announced that they would ignore the results of the proposed plebiscite.
Liberal senators Cory Bernardi and Eric Abetz along with Nationals senator Bridget McKenzie have vowed to stick to their guns and vote against the issue regardless of what electors vote in the plebiscite.
Mr Abbott recently flew to the USA to deliver a speech at the invitation of the Alliance Defending Freedom, a far right wing group who lobby against abortion and gay marriage.
Delivering his speech Mr Abbott highlighted that both of his sisters have been divorced and found new partners, and that one of his sisters is in a same sex relationship.
“To me, my sisters’ partners are first class members of our extended family. The way they live shows their commitment to each other, even though there’s been no ceremony.
“I doubt that my sister’s female partner would be more part of the family if same sex marriage were permitted – because membership of a family rests on commitment – and commitment is what counts, as much as what it’s called.” Mr Abbott said.
Mr Abbott’s sister Christine Forster has replied via Twitter publicly directing two messages directly at her brother.
“Marriage is good for our society. That why it’s better for all of us if more of us can be married.” Ms Forster wrote before following up with, “Allowing same sex couples to marry doesn;t damage the institution in any way. It honours it.”
OIP Staff
