Split on marriage vote

A LIBERAL senator is about to re-open what has been a deeply divisive matter for the Coalition – same-sex marriage.

West Australian senator Dean Smith is working on a plan to end the “embarrassment” of the nation and legalise same-sex marriage through a conscience vote in Parliament, defying his Government’s policy of a plebiscite.

Senator Smith, who is gay, said his private member’s Bill is well advanced and he intends taking it to the party room.

“The Bill is important because it will allow the Liberal Party to revisit the issue of marriage once and for all before the next election,” he said.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull was last month forced to rule out a parliamentary vote, even though he is a supporter of marriage equality.