Marriage talk one for party room: MP

DESPITE “some approaches” from local constituents, Groom MP John McVeigh remains faithful to the Federal Government’s policy regarding a same-sex marriage plebiscite.

Mr McVeigh said his view on the social issue hadn’t changed in the 12 months since he was elected on a platform open to discussing marriage equality while being personally opposed to it.

Instead, he backed the Coalition policy to discuss the issue behind closed party doors in Canberra next week.

“I get some inquiries and some approaches on same-sex marriage but nowhere near as much as those four key issues,” he said, referring to Centrelink concerns, the NBN roll-out, the Inland Rail and Oakey’s water contamination.

“I acknowledge commentary ... in the recent days about our government’s commitment to holding a plebiscite.

“Any further conversation about that policy in the Coalition government team should happen in the party room.

“In the meantime, I note that the prime minister, the deputy prime minister, senior ministers all the way through to the backbenchers such as myself are reminding everyone the policy to hold a plebiscite on this remains.”

The same-sex marriage issue came into focus again this week with Liberal National Party president Gary Spence warning MPs to toe the party line regarding a free vote.