During Turnbull's appearance on the ABC's Q&A, one questioner said it was an insult for her to be asked to vote for her gay son and nephew to be equal with their siblings.
The woman said the A$160 million funding for the plebiscite would be better spent on addressing depression, alcoholism, drugs and suicide prevention. "Why are you not amending the law within the Marriage Act? It is a parliamentary process. We elect representatives into parliament," she said, exhorting Turnbull to show leadership.
Turnbull replied: "You make a powerful point very eloquently. From a legal and constitutional point of view, you're right. Parliament could amend the Marriage Act without the support, without the consultation, of a plebiscite."
But the commitment was made when Tony Abbott was prime minister, Turnbull said; it was an agreement reached in the Coalition party room.
When the woman interjected that he was the prime minister, Turnbull said: "I am the prime minister but I'm not the dictator. Some people like the idea of prime ministers that ignore their colleagues. I don't agree with that. I'm a strong believer in traditional cabinet government. And that means compromise.
"That means listening to your colleagues. That means being the first among equals and respecting the views of those in your cabinet and in your party room that you may not agree with."
