• Home
  • News
  • Sport
  • Entertainment
  • Local History
  • Contact Us
  • Advertise With Us
  • About Us
  • Subscribe
  • Read Our Newspapers Online
    • Read the Latest Western Port News
    • Read the Latest Mornington News
    • Read the Latest Southern Peninsula News
    • Read the Latest Frankston Times
    • Read the Latest Chelsea Mordialloc Mentone News
Facebook Twitter Instagram
Trending
  • Susan Bissinger set for council seat after recount
  • Redlegs outrun Frankston Bombers
  • Rye prevail after a last quarter blitz
  • Table-topping start for local trio
  • Miss Inbetween gets the chocolates on Easter Monday
  • Bank manager grows ‘very fine’ potatoes
  • Reflections on going back home
  • Holidays are for fun and learning
Facebook Twitter
MPNEWS MPNEWS
  • Home
  • News
  • Sport
  • Entertainment
  • Local History
  • Contact Us
  • Advertise With Us
  • About Us
  • Subscribe
MPNEWS MPNEWS
Home»Latest News»Hunt converts to same-sex marriage cause
Latest News

Hunt converts to same-sex marriage cause

By Neil WalkerAugust 24, 2015No Comments2 Mins Read
Changed vows: Flinders MP Greg Hunt now backs same-sex marriage having previously voted against its legalisation.
Share
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Email
Changed vows: Flinders MP Greg Hunt now backs same-sex marriage having previously voted against its legalisation.
Changed vows: Flinders MP Greg Hunt now backs same-sex marriage having previously voted against its legalisation.

ONGOING tensions within the Liberal Party over the legalisation of same-sex marriage have been downplayed by federal MP for Flinders Greg Hunt.

A passionate Mr Hunt told The News last Friday he believed media claims of internal party divisions in the aftermath of a Liberal party room meeting earlier this month to discuss same-sex marriage legalisation have been overblown.

Workplace Minister Eric Abetz slammed cabinet leakers as “gutless” as differences of opinion on same-sex marriage emerged publicly after the meeting held behind closed doors in the Liberal party room on Tuesday 11 August.

Mr Hunt revealed he spoke in favour of marriage equality during the Liberal party room debate and backed a “free conscience vote” by MPs not tied along party policy lines.

“I do support same-sex marriage and that view has evolved over recent years through conversations with the community,” he said.

Mr Hunt has changed his mind on same-sex marriage since voting against a private members bill in September 2012 to legalise marriage for gay and lesbian couples.

The member for Flinders was among 98 MPs who voted against the proposal. Just 42 supported the bill at the time.

Mr Hunt said he now supports same-sex marriage “subject to strong protections of religious freedom”.

The Environment Minister in the Abbott government says there is no animosity between himself and Dunkley Liberal MP and Small Business Minister Bruce Billson, for example, despite differing views on same-sex marriage (‘Liberals remain divided on same-sex marriage’, The News 18/8/15).

Mr Billson favours “the formal recognition of same-sex relationships” rather than its legalisation and says “going to a process after the next election that puts the question [on legalising same-sex marriage] to the people enables all individuals to have their say”.

Prime Minister Tony Abbott, a long-time opponent of same-sex marriage, has rejected any party room backing of a free vote for Liberal MPs and instead favours a national plebiscite or referendum if the Coalition government wins a second term in office.

Opposition leader Bill Shorten has vowed to legalise same-sex marriage without a plebiscite or referendum within 100 days of Labor winning government.

First published in the Mornington News – 25 August 2015

Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email

Related Posts

Susan Bissinger set for council seat after recount

April 13, 2021

Kangaroos ‘face extinction’

April 12, 2021

Feds under pressure to back AGL refusal

April 12, 2021

Expansion, but blackspots remain

April 12, 2021
Add A Comment

Comments are closed.

Weather
Apr 18, 2021 - Sun
Mornington, Australia
15°C
overcast clouds
overcast clouds
1 m/s, SSW
87%
764.32 mmHg
sun04/18 mon04/19 tue04/20 wed04/21 thu04/22
scattered clouds
17/15°C
sky is clear
17/16°C
moderate rain
11/11°C
light rain
13/12°C
light rain
14/14°C
Peninsula Essence Magazine

Click here to read

March 29, 2021
Peninsula Kids Magazine

Click here to read

February 25, 2021
Property of the Week

Horizon sets new goal for property prices

January 11, 2021
Council Watch

Susan Bissinger set for council seat after recount

April 13, 2021

Brown coal to hydrogen: responsible or risky?

April 12, 2021
Interview

People of faith sound alarm on climate

March 15, 2021
Contact
Street: 63 Watt Road, Mornington, 3931
Mailing: PO Box 588, Hastings, 3915
Menu
  • Home
  • News
  • Sport
  • Entertainment
  • Local History
  • Contact Us
  • Advertise With Us
  • About Us
  • Subscribe
About

Established in 2006, Mornington Peninsula News Group (MPNG) is a locally owned and operated, independent media company.

MPNG publishes five weekly community newspapers: the Western Port News, Mornington News, Southern Peninsula News, Frankston Times and Chelsea Mordialloc Mentone News.

MPNG also publishes two glossy magazines: Peninsula Essence and Peninsula Kids.

Facebook Twitter
© 2021 Mornington Peninsula News Group.

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.