There are two issues Tony Abbott doesn't want to talk too much about - same-sex marriage and climate change.
Yet the first week of parliament after the winter break was dominated by both.
The prime minister unveiled the government's target for cutting carbon emissions - 26-28 per cent on 2005 levels by 2030 - which will be taken to the Paris summit in December.
Labor's happy for climate change to be on the agenda, and backbencher Tim Watts on Tuesday reminded parliament of Abbott's 2009 description of the science as "absolute crap".
Abbott sees the issue not so much as one of decoupling emissions growth from economic growth - as Labor's emissions trading scheme aims to do - but taking enough action to make a global contribution, but not affect growth and jobs.
Debate on the issue lasted about half a day.
Somewhat fortuitously, a knock on his door from Warren Entsch on Tuesday knocked climate off the agenda.
The Queensland MP brought to the prime minister and the Liberal party room his bill to allow same-sex marriage.
Abbott convened a six-hour meeting of the Liberal and National parties to discuss allowing MPs a free vote on Entsch's bill.
A number of MPs, including minister Christopher Pyne, complained that the Nationals - most of whom strongly oppose the change - were invited to what should have been a discussion among Liberals.
Those advocating a free vote among Liberal MPs fell only seven votes short, which could well have been achieved had not so many conservative voices been raised at the meeting.
During the meeting, several senior MPs took direct aim at ministers who advocate same-sex marriage, saying if they want to continue supporting the change they should resign from the front bench.
Malcolm Turnbull later lamented the failure of the meeting to allow a free vote, saying it would have allowed the issue to be resolved within weeks.
He argued this would have been not only good for those advocating same-sex marriage, but for a prime minister who wants to return to the firmer ground of jobs and fighting terrorism.
As a compromise, Abbott said it was his "strong disposition" to hold a plebiscite or a referendum in the next term of parliament.
He later firmed up this view, saying the coalition would take the issue to a "people's vote", while Labor advocated a "parliament vote".
If voters backed no change: "Obviously I'd be pleased and I think everyone else should accept that."
On Thursday, the government appeared to be warming to a referendum.
Changing the constitution via a referendum faces a much bigger hurdle than a plebiscite - four states must vote in favour of the change, as well as a national majority.
To have one political leader advocating a "no" case would kill off the issue.
The electoral commission estimates taxpayers would have to fork out $121 million for a stand-alone referendum.
Bill Shorten - who has pledged to legislate for marriage equality within 100 days of a Labor government - says the national vote is a strategy to push the issue "into the never-never".
However, Liberal senator Arthur Sinodinos - a supporter of same-sex marriage - says Abbott's strategy has eased pressure on coalition MPs.
All the government needs to do now is come up with a format and a question and "then it's up to the people".
"If you are an advocate of gay marriage, it's a good opportunity to ramp up the campaign," he said.
However, it has left a sour taste in the mouths of many Liberal MPs and will have at least a short-term impact on Abbott's leadership.
Some say it's yet another "captain's pick" by Abbott and an example of the disconnect between the PM and the public mood.
Entsch accepts the party room's decision, but is disappointed his bill will fail.
But the prime minister now has an opportunity to shift the agenda onto more comfortable ground.
Share
