Australian prime minister leaves open possibility of future referendum on same-sex marriage

August 12, 2015

Australia's Prime Minister Tony Abbott has said that his coalition government may agree to a national referendum on the question of same-sex marriage, but has ruled out that possibility before a new election.

Abbott said that his coalition remained firmly opposed to same-sex marriage. He added that any change to the legal definition of marriage should require a popular referendum rather than simply a vote in parliament. However he left open the possibility that his coalition would allow a nationwide vote, so that "if you would like to see change at some time in the future, the coalition is prepared to make that potentially possible."

 

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Further information:

• Tony Abbott flags plebiscite on same-sex marriage in bid to defuse anger (Sydney Morning Herald)
• Australian prime minister will resist bid to legalize same-sex marriage (CWN, 7/3)