New South Wales Senator David
Leyonhjelm, who represents the Liberal Democratic Party, announced
Monday that he'll shortly be introducing a gay marriage bill.
Leyonhjelm said he'll push for a vote
on the bill when Prime Minister Tony Abbott allows members of
Australia's ruling Coalition to vote as they choose on the issue.
Abbott, an opponent of marriage
equality, was elected prime minister last year.
“It is not the job of governments to
define relationships,” Leyonhjelm said during a press conference.
“For those of you who have a problem with homosexuality for some
reason or another, we are not asking for your approval. I ask merely
for your tolerance. If your private life is nobody else's business,
I ask you to understand that the private life of others is none of
your business, and it is simply not your role to impose your views on
others.”
“I ask that you understand that the
liberties you care about should be available to everybody, and that
there is no place in Australia for second class citizens,” he
added.