Australian marriage equality advocates have welcomed reports that the Young Liberals will urge the federal party to allow a conscience vote on the issue.

Liberal Senator Cory Bernardi has resigned as parliamentary secretary to Coalition Leader Tony Abbott after coming under fire from within his own party as well by marriage equality advocates for claiming same-sex marriage laws would lead to bestiality.

Finance Minister Penny Wong slammed Shadow Treasurer Joe Hockey during a live discussion forum on ABC Television last night, telling the audience she knows “what my family is worth” after the senior Liberal MP had claimed “a mother and a father” offered children “the very best circumstances”.

Federal Opposition Leader Tony Abbott has got his way on same-sex marriage, after shadow Cabinet yesterday decided to back Abbott’s opposition to a conscience vote on the issue, leaving marriage equality advocates disappointed but nevertheless quietly confident that the decision will be revisited in the near future. 

A part-time photographer and finance manager with one of Australia’s major retailers is behind the new North Shore Marriage Equality Alliance group which hopes to put pressure on Liberal MPs along Sydney’s northern beaches to support a conscience vote on the issue.