Malcolm Turnbull could be the first sitting prime minister to attend Mardi Gras
A number of conservative Liberal MPs are fuming over the fact Malcolm Turnbull could become the first sitting prime minister to attend the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras.
While the Mardi Gras parade has attracted countless prominent guests over its 38 year history, it has never drawn a sitting prime minister.
However this year the prime minister is also the local MP.
"Of course it would be a wonderful event for the Prime Minister to attend,” said Independent member for Sydney Alex Greenwich, who is also co-chair of Australian Marriage Equality.
The suggestion that Mr Turnbull could attend this year’s event has some Liberal conservative MPs quietly fuming.
One told 7 News it would be 'a dangerous thing' for Mr Turnbull to do in an election year, as it would 'amplify divisions within the party'.
Never mind the fact the Member for Wentworth was at the march just last year.
“He shouldn't have been there in the past let alone now,” another sitting Liberal told 7 News.
“This is going to cause some real problems' for the government.”
However other Liberal party members, such as Queensland MP Warren Entsch, don’t have a problem with the prime minister attending the event.
“I wouldn't be discouraging him from doing it, that's for sure,” he told 7 News.
Mr Entsch, who is trying to win a vote for marriage equality, says he wants the government party room to agree on the words and date of a plebiscite by the end of March.
He says the national vote on same sex marriage should be held within 100 of the next election.
“That's what I would like to see and that's what I will be arguing,” he told 7 News.
Opposition leader Bill Shorten is also all for Mr Turnbull attending the celebration.
“I think it would be fine for Malcolm Turnbull to go. If I was prime minister, I would be delighted to go and I'd take my family too,” he told 7 News.
Mr Turnbull was less optimistic about the notion of a plebiscite.
“We shouldn't have to go through some sort of complicated Liberal Party shenanigans costing $160 million.”
While Malcolm Turnbull is committed to the plebiscite, he has not decided if he will be attending Mardi Gras.
His office says he is yet to consider the March 5th invitation.
