Julie Bishop says she has “absolutely no concerns” about same-sex marriage and backs Australians having their say on the issue through a plebiscite.
In some of her first public comments on the matter, the foreign affairs minister told Channel Ten’s The Project on Monday she supported the right of gay and lesbian couples to marry, and backed holding a plebiscite.
“I have absolutely no concerns about it myself, but I know there a lot of people who are deeply concerned about the issue,” Bishop said.
She said she supported Australians having their say on “such a fundamental issue” through a plebiscite.
It was an issue that “goes to the very composition of our community, the way we feel about each other, how we treat each other”, she said.
“I think the Australian people should have their say.”
The national director of Australian Marriage Equality, Rodney Croome, said Bishop’s comments would be influential in the Liberal party, the ABC reported.
“I think her support for marriage equality will be quite significant,” Croome said.
“It will mean other members of the Liberal party will be more likely to vote in favour, and I think if it’s put to the people, then we’ll see more Australians in support of the reform, because of the support of Ms Bishop.”
