Prime Minister Tony Abbott has declined to take sides as some of his colleagues spar over legalising same-sex marriage.
Outspoken Liberal backbencher Cory Bernardi has called for Malcolm Turnbull's sacking after the cabinet minister publicly supported changes to the Marriage Act.
Senator Bernardi argued there was no room for ministers to talk up personal views that differed from party policy.
Mr Abbott wasn't buying into the argument when quizzed about the senator's comments on Tuesday.
"I think on a subject such as this, there is a certain leeway extended to people," he said in his northern Sydney electorate, adding the Liberal Party was a broad church of views.
Mr Abbott said he was friends with both Senator Bernardi and Mr Turnbull.
One of the great things about Australia was people could have a discussion "even about difficult subjects" and still stay friends.
Mr Abbott said the party room would consider the issue "in the usual way" if and when a private bill came before parliament.
