The Age argues in its recent editorial titled "Why a Prime Minister of honour should dump same-sex marriage plebiscite" that Mr Turnbull has the option to honourably lead his colleagues and our nation in a change that is compelled by evolving circumstances and by fundamental justice, urging him to consider retracting the same-sex marriage plebiscite.
It says that there are two reasons politicians change policies.
The first is expediency. Examples of such breaches of faith are Julia Gillard's broken promise to not introduce a carbon tax, and Tony Abbott's commitment to not cut funding to a number of areas that were cut in his very first budget.
The second reason for changing a policy is when new evidence and arguments emerge that show there is a better way - fairer, more efficient, more effective, faster and cheaper.
The papaper points out T"he logistics and technicalities of the plebiscite were never properly explained. As recently as last week, a poll showed that once people are told a plebiscite will cost $160 million, perhaps a lot more, and is not binding on politicians, only one in four people think it's a good idea.
"It is a terrible idea. It will waste a fortune of taxpayers' dollars. People who have long been discriminated against will be vilified. It will hurt not only same-sex couples, but their families, friends and loved ones. It is needlessly and unconscionably divisive in a nation that prides itself on fairness."
