Federal Politics

Politics live: Same-sex marriage plebiscite dead as Labor decides to block it

Labor blocks plebiscite

As expected, the Labor Party has opposed a same sex marriage plebiscite, but there's still hope this won't mean a lengthy delay for marriage equality.

And that's it from me for today.

My thanks to Andrew Meares and Alex Ellinghausen for their excellent work and you for hanging out with us.

You can follow me on Facebook.

See you soon.

The Greens are pressing ahead nevertheless:

You can catch up on the plebiscite story here.

And that's it for question time.

....but it's generally more like this.

Labor MP Anne Aly listens to Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull's response to her question.
Labor MP Anne Aly listens to Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull's response to her question. Photo: Alex Ellinghausen
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Ah question time. You'd like to think it was always like this ....

Deputy Opposition Leader Tanya Plibersek in question time on Tuesday.
Deputy Opposition Leader Tanya Plibersek in question time on Tuesday. Photo: Alex Ellinghausen

Mr Turnbull goes on to accuse the opposition of being less interested in marriage equality than "in wringing every ounce of political gain out of this debate".
 

Coalition MP George Christensen during question time on Tuesday.
Coalition MP George Christensen during question time on Tuesday. Photo: Alex Ellinghausen

Mr Shorten asks Mr Turnbull to respond to concerns that a plebiscite would cause mental distress to LGBTI people.

"I'm quite satisfied that the Australian people are capable of having a civil discussion. I recognise and have some understanding of the additional mental stresses...among the gay community," Mr Turnbull says.

"Nonetheless this is a big issue that concerns all Australians and we believe all Australians should have their say."

 

Opposition Leader Bill Shorten asks Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull if he stands by his election promise that people will not pay more for doctors' visits.

Mr Turnbull prefers to talk about "militant unions" and his success in defending volunteer firefighters in Victoria.

Question time - now only five minutes away.

Treasurer Scott Morrison before question time on Tuesday.
Treasurer Scott Morrison before question time on Tuesday. Photo: Alex Ellinghausen
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Who's your daddy?

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull addresses the media in Canberra on Tuesday.
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull addresses the media in Canberra on Tuesday. Photo: Alex Ellinghausen

And that's it for Mr Turnbull.

Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce has told the Coalition party room that the Labor Party "couldn't run a chook raffle in a pub on a Friday night because they are pathologically hopeless".

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull during a press conference at Parliament House in Canberra on Tuesday.
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull during a press conference at Parliament House in Canberra on Tuesday. Photo: Andrew Meares

Mr Turnbull is asked many times about his plan B on same-sex marriage.

He says he is not going to speculate because although he is confident the bill will pass the House of Representatives the Senate must still deal with it.

Mr Turnbull begins: "Delivery is our mission in this term of government."

He ticks off the passing of legislation on Victoria's Country Fire Authority last night before moving on to ship building.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull during a press conference at Parliament House in Canberra on Tuesday.
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull during a press conference at Parliament House in Canberra on Tuesday. Photo: Andrew Meares
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Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull is holding a press conference in about half an hour's time.

It is not about the plebiscite but the issue will, I bet you a million bucks, be raised.

And that's it for Mr Shorten.

"How do you stop the harm? How do you stop the extremes of the debate? How do you stop the nastiness?" Mr Shorten says.

"The plebiscite was a bad idea. Us stopping a bad idea is a good thing."

Deputy Opposition Leader Tanya Plibersek and families listen to leader Bill Shorten.
Deputy Opposition Leader Tanya Plibersek and families listen to leader Bill Shorten. Photo: Andrew Meares

Mr Shorten is asked about the Coalition's policy of a plebiscite as a way of deciding marriage equality.

"I just see that as the start of the debate," he says before mentioning the policies the Prime Minister has already altered.

"I encourage Malcolm Turnbull to talk to the families I spoke to."

Mr Shorten says Labor will not give up on marriage equality.

"There is more than one door to open to achieve marriage equality," he says.

"The easiest way is....legislate."

Deputy Opposition Leader Tanya Plibersek meets with rainbow families on Tuesday.
Deputy Opposition Leader Tanya Plibersek meets with rainbow families on Tuesday. Photo: Andrew Meares
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