Libs split on marriage
National snapshot Frontbenchers for same-sex laws ‘should quit’ Toying with weighty idea plastic not so fantastic
THE Liberal Party has split over same-sex marriage, with the Right launching a determined push to head off a conscience vote.
Conservative Senators Cory Bernardi and Zed Seselja hit out at Assistant Treasurer Josh Frydenberg, who has declared his support for both a conscience vote and a “yes’’ vote allowing same-sex marriage.
Senator Bernardi called for Mr Frydenberg, and his frontbench colleagues who are also in favour of a yes vote – Kelly O’Dwyer, Malcolm Turnbull and Simon Birmingham – to resign for speaking out against party policy. “COMPELLING evidence” is emerging that a chemical found in children’s toys and food containers may play a role in fuelling obesity.
Dr Bridget Maher, from Queensland Children’s Medical Research Institute and the University of
The Right’s push-back against the “inevitability’’ of both a conscience vote, and a yes vote in the Parliament, took several days to gain momentum, but is now under way.
The absence of ministers Eric Abetz, whose wife is ill, and Kevin Andrews, who is in Asia, had initially slowed the Right response.
One Liberal MP told News Corp that with overwhelming support from Labor, only about 25 “yes’’ votes from the Coalition would be enough to get the vote through.
Another said those who led Queensland, said the systematic review of research involving almost 5000 children on the effects of Bisphenol A (BPA) found exposure may contribute to the rise in childhood obesity.
Children with the highest level of exposure had a 40 per cent greater risk of obesity than those with the lowest. the push for same-sex marriage were abandoning the Liberal base.
Two other Victorian frontbenchers, Environment Minister Greg Hunt and Nationals MP Darren Chester, have not formally declared their position but have made clear they are likely to support a yes vote.
The issue was not raised in the Coalition party room yesterday, which was expected, as the Senators are not in Canberra this week.
It also seems likely the Liberal party room will not vote on whether or not to have a
It is theorised that BPA may promote fat accumulation in cells and increase insulin resistance.
Dr Maher said there was a case for parents to reduce children’s exposure to BPA by limiting canned food, opting for glass and stainless steel containers for food and drink, choosing toys made from conscience vote until Parliament resumes after the winter break in mid-August.
Senator Seselja said yesterday that he didn’t believe the Liberal’s current position – to oppose any change to the Marriage Act – should be altered, and he said ministers should publicly support that position.
Senator Bernardi, who was forced to resign from Mr Abbott’s frontbench three years ago after linking the push for same-sex marriage with bestiality, attacked his colleagues who had spoken publicly about their support for the change. wood and fabric, and not putting plastic containers in the microwave or dishwasher.
Food Standards Australia New Zealand, which regulates food sold in plastic containers, said it monitored new evidence on BPA and “the overwhelming weight of scientific opinion is there is no health or safety issue at the
“Malcolm Turnbull has been agitating (for marriage equality). He’s in Cabinet. You’ve had the prime minister’s sister say the other day that Josh Frydenberg has been involved in it. Simon Birmingham has been involved in it. Kelly O’Dwyer has been involved,” Senator Bernardi told the BuzzFeed website.
“These people have frontbench responsibilities. It is their obligation to reflect the party’s view and not indulge in their own frolics and fantasies. If they don’t like it, take themselves off the frontbench.” levels people are exposed to”.
Professor Ian Rae, an organic chemist at the University of Melbourne, said on current evidence BPA exposure was too low to cause concern.
The research was presented as part of the Australian Society of Medical Research’s showcase of young scientists.