Opposition Leader Tony Abbott's wife says Australia needs to have a conversation about gay marriage.
Margie Abbott, the woman likely to be the prime minister's wife after Saturday's election, says her opinion on same-sex marriage is "open to discussion".
It's a contrast to the view of her husband, who has ruled out a Liberal party conscience vote on the issue.
"I suppose at the end of the day I think that love, commitment, are things that should be recognised and I think it's a conversation that Australia needs to have," Mrs Abbott told the Nine Network.
"Hopefully going forward that is one that we will have."
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But Mrs Abbott said change should be incremental.
"We as a family welcome discussion, we're very open and I think Tony, if nothing else, is a great listener and I think that is a great quality in whatever you do," she said.
Mrs Abbott said her family had embraced Mr Abbott's sister, Christine, who recently announced she is gay.
She also said she had not made up her mind whether to leave her job in early learning if the coalition wins on Saturday.
