Australian PM’s lesbian sister is still not happy about him blocking equal marriage
Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott is under fire from his lesbian sister – for once again blocking a bill that would allow her to marry.
A number of same-sex marriage bills were set to come before the Australian Parliament this month, but anti-gay marriage PM Tony Abbott failed to afford a free vote for his MPs – binding them to vote against equality.
He also declared he will sack any ministers who defy him and vote in favour of same-sex marriage.
However, Mr Abbott’s own sister Christine Forster – who is herself engaged to a woman and waiting to legally marry – hit out .
Ms Forster said: “A cross-party bill amending the Marriage Act is before parliament. A huge shame it can’t be considered as a matter of conscience by all MPs.”
She told WCYB: “At a personal level it is disappointing because I am engaged to get married to my partner Virginia and I would like to be able to do that here in Australia and I would like to be able to do that sooner rather than later.
She continued: “It’s a discussion about marriage. I don’t believe that it should be something that is a set party policy.
“I think that Australian’s elect their parliamentarians to represent them. And everything points to, in terms of the polls, points to the fact that that most Australians want to see this change happen.”
Ms Forster proposed to her partner Virginia Edwards in 2013 – but is still waiting for her brother to catch up with public opinion and allow them to marry.
