Australia: Tony Abbott finally replies to 8-year-old who wrote to ask for equal marriage
Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott has finally replied to an 8-year-old girl who sent him a letter every day asking him to legalise equal marriage.
The girl, Abbey, wrote to the PM – who staunchly opposes same-sex marriage – every day for a week last month in support of her uncle Gregory Storer, who married his same-sex partner this year.
One of her letters reads: “Gay marriage is no different to any other marriage because its only about love and nothing else. I would like the law changed.”
Another says: “Change is normally for the best. it’s okay to make a change to laws and the way you think.”
Despite his lack of reply last month, Mr Abbott has finally found the time to reply to Abbey – though he refuses to change his position on the issue.
He wrote: “Thank you for letting me know about your views on same-sex marriage.
“I appreciate you letting me know about your own family.
“In my family, I have a sister with a female partner. My sister’s partner is a loved member of our family.
“While I respect your views on same sex marriage, I hold a different view.
“My personal position is to support the existing definition of marriage.
“The Government supports the current definition of marriage contained in the Marriage Act.
“Thank you again for writing to me. I wish you well in future.”
