But the timing of a referendum or plebiscite – after the next federal election – has a slight stench about it.

Does the prime minister hope the timing for a referendum on such an important issue as marriage equality will be an election springboard for the Coalition? 

Is the timing of such a referendum being used to try to work in the Coalition’s favour? Or is it just another delaying tactic?

The U.S has voted in favour. Even the ultra-conservative Irish have voted in favour. Why is it Australia seems to be lagging behind when it comes to properly discussing marriage equality?

Mr Abbott said the Coalition was open to a “cultural shift” on same-sex marriage, but has moved the decision-making process back to the people of Australia, not parliament.

This, in turn, has denied MPs a free vote on the issue.

To justify his move, Mr Abbott said: "This is an issue which is so personal ... why not let the people rather than the parliament decide this? That's the democratic and the fair thing to do."

OK Mr Abbott, let the people decide, but let the democracy continue by actually listening to Australia’s voice during and after the referendum.

Lip service on such an important issue just won’t wash with the general populous.

Cabinet minister Malcolm Turnbull says he doesn't support putting same-sex marriage to a national vote, instead advocating for the issue to be resolved by the parliament this year. "The reason I haven't advocated a plebiscite after the next election is that it will mean that this issue is a live issue all the way up to the next election and, indeed, at the next election.”

Mr Abbott cautioned that same-sex marriage had "only very recently come into our intellectual and cultural parameters" as opposed to the "time immemorial" position that marriage was one between a man and a woman.

Um, no, that’s not right PM. Same-sex marriage, gay marriage, marriage equality, call it what you will, but this issue is not a very recent one. It has been an issue which has been debated for a very long time. And it is not an issue that is going away.