'I Don't Run a Stalinist Party,' Abbott on Same-Sex Marriage Bill

There were animated clashes during Question Time in the Austrian Parliament on Wednesday, August 12, a day after the ruling Conservative coalition all but destroyed legislation that would extend marriage to same-sex couples by refusing to allow government MPs a free vote on the issue.

During Question Time, leader of the opposition, Bill Shorten, asked Prime Minister Tony Abbott, “Can the prime minister confirm that he will sack any cabinet minister who crosses the floor and votes in favor of marriage equality?”

In response, Abbott quipped, “Unlike members opposite, I don’t run a Stalinist party.” He then said that backbench members will have a conscience vote, as normal, but acknowledged that members of the executive would be bound by the policy of the government. Credit: Parliament of Australia