Malcolm Turnbull has found an unlikely ally in Pauline Hanson's One Nation party when it comes to his same-sex marriage plebiscite.
One Nation senator-elect for Queensland Malcolm Roberts gave his tick of approval on Thursday for a national vote.
But other crossbenchers including independent senator Nick Xenophon still think it's parliament's job to make the decision.
"Before we talk about a plebiscite, let's see what happens on the floor of the House of Representatives and on the floor of the Senate," Senator Xenophon told reporters in Adelaide.
Greens leader Richard Di Natale has also repeated his party's objection to a divisive and expensive plebiscite, calling for a free vote in parliament.
It comes as Opposition Leader Bill Shorten assured the prime minister that he would canvass the views of his caucus on whether to support laws to enable a same-sex marriage plebiscite.
Mr Shorten met with the prime minister in Sydney on Thursday to discuss the plebiscite, which Mr Turnbull wants held by the end of the year, as well as other issues.
"I've undertaken to listen to what Mr Turnbull has said and I will talk to my colleagues," Mr Shorten told reporters after the meeting, adding Labor still advocated a parliamentary vote.
Share
