As the issue of marriage equality comes to a head in Coalition meetings next week, none of the four Liberals campaigning for change will acknowledge working with their political opponents. When Karen Middleton asked lead campaigner, Queensland Liberal Warren Entsch, about cross-party talks, he responded: “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” But another MP who has been involved confirmed the talks have been occurring “back and forth for a long time”. A second concurred, saying: “Yes, there have been.”
Malcolm Turnbull is reported to be considering offering a secret ballot to test support for the plebiscite, confident the existing policy will be upheld. Some in the Coalition are also concerned the pro-change Liberals’ actions are undermining Turnbull’s authority, describing it as “a suicide mission” that could destabilise his grip on power.
Plus: Ruby Hamad on the misguided defences of the ‘real’ Islam, and Paul Bongiorno on Malcolm Turnbull’s ongoing struggle to lead.
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The Saturday Paper
