Tag Archives: Malcolm Turnbull

Salon reports: Australian media confirms that Trump “yelled” during the call in an attempt to bully the prime minister. Australia’s Nine News reported that Turnbull responded to the erratic behavior by saying: “You’re a businessman. I’m a businessman. A deal is a deal.” Twenty-five minutes into the phone call, which was originally scheduled to last an hour, Trump reportedly hung …

The Guardian reports: Labor and a group of Greens and independent MPs have separately given notice that they will introduce private members’ bills to legalise same-sex marriage. Greens MP Adam Bandt and independents Cathy McGowan and Andrew Wilkie gave notice on Tuesday of a cross-party marriage equality bill, in identical terms to one before the previous parliament. On Tuesday, as …

Via press release from PFLAG Australia: Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays has stepped up its campaign against a marriage equality plebiscite with the release of a new advertisement. The ad highlights the fact politicians can ignore the result of a plebiscite, as well as the plebiscite’s $160 million price tag. PFLAG national spokesperson, Shelley Argent, said, “As parents, …

Two days ago Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull’s Liberal Party announced that a national referendum on same-sex marriage will take place in February. Not so fast, says the opposition. Via Australia’s ABC News: A plebiscite on same-sex marriage is looking less likely, with the Federal Opposition determined to have a parliamentary vote to change marriage laws instead. The Government has promised …

The Sydney Morning Herald reports: The Turnbull government will push back the date of the proposed same-sex marriage plebiscite until February 2017, breaking a flagship pledge. The Prime Minister had said he wanted the vote to be held this year. However a spokesperson for Mr Turnbull told Fairfax that Special Minister of State, Scott Ryan, received advice last week from …

Euronews reports: Australia woke up on Sunday (July 3) to the headache of a hung parliament and a minority government, after a general election that was too close to call. Vote counting has been paused and was so tight that Prime Minister Malcom Turnbull’s Liberal Party-led coalition may need the support of independents and smaller parties to remain in power. …

Australia’s national election is July 2nd and thousands rallied across the country today to call for the immediate introduction of same-sex marriage legislation. Reuters reports: Conservative Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull supports same-sex marriage and has pledged a public vote on the issue before the end of 2016. The Labor opposition will skip a public vote and introduce a bill …

From the Sydney Morning Herald: Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull says he expects a plebiscite on same-sex marriage to be held by the end of 2016 if the Coalition is returned to government, his strongest commitment yet on the timing of the vote. “We will hold it as soon as possible after the election. Given that the election is on 2 …

SameSame reports: Attorney-General George Brandis and Minister of Justice Michael Keenan have confirmed Australia’s Federal Government has set aside a sum of $160 million for a plebiscite on same-sex marriage in tonight’s budget. “The Government has also made provision in the Contingency Reserve of $160 million for the plebiscite on same-sex marriage,” they confirm in a statement tonight. They’ve also …

Actress Julie Louis-Dreyfus yesterday tweeted that she is “dumbstruck” that Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has begun using her Veep character’s amusingly contradictory campaign slogan in media appearances. Junkee reports: Over the past couple of days, Turnbull has been channeling his predecessor and whipping out a bit of a three-word slogan. He first broke it in on 7.30 with Leigh …

But he’ll totally party at Sydney’s gay mardi gras. From the Sydney Morning Herald: Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has failed to endorse a pledge made by Attorney-General George Brandis to hold a same-sex marriage plebiscite, and change the Marriage Act, by the end of 2016. Speaking on Sky News on Sunday, Senator Brandis said the government would hold a plebiscite …

But he’s still blocking a vote on same-sex marriage. Perth Now reports: It’S a parade of firsts at this year’s Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras, despite it being the 38th edition of the iconic Sydney event. Malcolm Turnbull arrived to watch the parade, making it the first time a prime minister has attended the event. Mr Turnbull was mobbed as …

Remember the nutters from Australia’s “Stop Safe Schools” group whose protest backfired, resulting in a financial windfall for an LGBT prom? Now those haters are celebrating after Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull ordered an investigation into the entire program. From the Sydney Morning Herald: Turnbull has ordered a review into a controversial school education program aimed at promoting acceptance of gay, …

The Sydney Morning Herald reports: Parliamentary support for same-sex marriage reform appears to have reached critical mass and for the first time could pass in both houses, placing renewed pressure on Malcolm Turnbull to grant a free vote, rather than spend millions of dollars organising a non-binding public plebiscite. Mr. Turnbull has promised conservative colleagues he will honour the plebiscite …

Australia’s Senate today voted against holding a public referendum on same-sex marriage, instead calling for a free vote in their chamber by the end of the year. Gay News Network reports: Greens senator Robert Simms (pictured) introduced the motion. Simms is the Greens spokesperson on LGBTI issues and marriage equality. “Momentum continues to build for marriage equality in this country,” …

SameSame reports: Although a public vote on marriage equality will be unnecessary, costly and divisive, new Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has today confirmed he’s sticking to the Liberal party room’s plan to put it to the people after the next election. Whether or not there’ll be a change to the Marriage Act will “be determined by a vote of the …

From Australian Marriage Equality national director Rodney Croome: “This is the first time in Australia’s history that both the Prime Minister and Leader of the Opposition have supported marriage equality, giving us an unprecedented opportunity to achieve the reform. We will seek an urgent meeting with Mr Turnbull to chart a way forward on a reform that he knows is …

Huge news from the Sydney Morning Herald: Malcolm Turnbull will become Australia’s 29th prime minister after beating Tony Abbott in a dramatic leadership ballot in Canberra on Monday night. Mr Turnbull’s victory is reminiscent of the coup former prime minister Julia Gillard staged against Kevin Rudd in 2010 and makes the former communications minister Australia’s fifth prime minister in just …