I’m not convinced Turnbull’s in much of a position to determine just how hurtful that debate might be.
Nor is Senator Penny Wong convinced, who’s tweeted that she’ll let her kids know Turnbull’s opinion, when they’re told that their family is “abnormal”.
I’ll let our kids know that when they’re told again and again that their family is abnormal. https://t.co/ZhFBFpwkFC
— Senator Penny Wong (@SenatorWong) August 8, 2017
Meanwhile, former prime minister Tony Abbott’s already kickstarted his “vote no” campaign, saying it’s an opportunity to “stop political correctness in its tracks”.
Turnbull says that he will support the yes vote, but he’ll also be busy… “I have many other calls [on] my time.”
This morning, Penny Wong delivered a blistering attack on the Government’s Plebiscite plans in the Senate, labelling it as “weakness and divisive” and saying it’s an expensive and damaging stunt that won’t be binding.
Penny Wong’s quiet fury here is really something. pic.twitter.com/dwjZnGEQUC
— Jake Holman 🌵 (@JacobLeigh) August 9, 2017
“They [other MPs] simply cannot countenance people like me — and others, being equal,” she said, also questioning just what better things could be done with the $120 million the vote is expected to cost.
“It’s one big opinion survey to get over the fact the Liberal party room can’t make a decision, so they’re so divided and because regrettably, Malcolm Turnbull hasn’t had the courage of conviction.
“No amount of words can hide from the fact that this is one big massive handball, because this is a government without a leader, utterly divided on this issue.”
She also noted the hatred the anti-yes campaign will expose children to, saying the Australian Christian Lobby has already called the children of gay families a “stolen generation”.
“I object, as do every person who cares about children, and as do all those couples in this country, same-sex couples who have kids, to be told our children are a stolen generation. You talk about unifying moments? It is not a unifying moment. It is exposing our children to that kind of hatred.”
Wong added that if the Government could simply bring on a vote, it would save the country $120 million and “put us all out of our misery of having to keep talking about the issue”.
Is the PM listening? He’s too busy, governing via postal vote.