Amanda Vanstone has called on Prime Minister Tony Abbott to allow Liberal politicians a conscience vote on an upcoming bill to deregulate marriage.
“I thought they should have had a conscience vote last time,” she said.
“… Heterosexuals are rushing out of marriage. If the gays want to rush in, let them.”
Liberal politicians have previously voted as a party.
Ms Vanstone’s comments on the ABC’s QandA program were supported by former High Court Justice Michael Kirby, who described marriage as a “citizens right”.
“If in fact it is something made by our federal parliament under our constitution for all the citizens of Australia in the law of marriage, there should not be discriminatory laws on the subject,” he said.
“If you want to have the confetti and the presents, then that it is you right.”
He also urged the public to resist from stereotyping politicians, refusing to rule out the possibility of Mr Abbott acting in favour of same sex marriage.
“I’m sure that he watches the polls and watches where things lie,” he said.
The push comes ahead of a private members bill to be tabled by Liberal Democratic Senator David Leyonhjelm, who seeks to redefine the Marriage Act.
The Act currently defines marriage as between a man and a woman.
Speaking on his intended bill last week, Senator Leyonhjelm called on his new colleagues to “come out of the closet” on equality.
“It is not the job of the government to define relationships,” he said.
“The day will come when we look back on the role of governments to grant marriage certificates based on gender as the bizarre misappropriate of power that it is.”
Senator Leyonhjelm said he was seeking to deregulate marriage and ensure celebrants are free to marry who they chose.
“I am asking that my bill be voted on strictly on a conscience vote.”
“… For those of you who have a problem with homosexuality for some reason or another, we’re not asking for your approval. We merely ask for your tolerance.”
