While I’m disappointed with the outcome, I am not angry and I accept the decision of the Party Room.
I was hoping for a free vote however I have to concede that I was still not confident that we would get the outcome we hoped for.
In the Party Room today, during the six hours of discussion, there was potential for highly emotive, over the top debate. However I have to commend my colleagues for the robust and respectful standard of the conversation, notwithstanding the fact that there were diametrically opposed views.
I can confirm that the Bill will be introduced on Monday morning when I intend to highlight some of the very personal and heartfelt stories that have led me to take this path. I have to concede however that given today’s decision, the likelihood of failure ? should it come to a vote ? is assured.
A positive outcome from the Party Room has been a decision that this will be the last term in which the Coalition Party Room can be bound by the existing marriage legislation position.
We will be developing a new policy to take to the 2016 election, looking at a mechanism that will allow the Australian public to have a vote on this issue, and in government we will be bound by the outcomes of that decision.
It is my intention to continue to work closely with those developing this policy to ensure that it is delivered.
