Australian Prime Minister allegedly refuses to meet gay ambassador’s partner
By Josh Haggis
Australia’s French ambassador Stephen Brady has offered his resignation after the Australian Prime Minister apparently refused to meet his same-sex partner.
Brady was waiting to greet Prime Minister Tony Abbott off a plane in Paris over the weekend with his partner of 32 years, Peter Stephens. However, Brady was reportedly sent instruction by Abbott’s staff that his partner should wait in the car rather than greet the Prime Minister.
According to The Sydney Morning Herald, no explanation was given for Abbott’s request, although the Prime Minister has been vocal about his opposition toward legalising same-sex marriage in Australia.
A spokesman for Abbott has since denied that he requested not to meet Brady’s partner, saying in a statement: “The prime minister was very happy to be met by Ambassador Brady and his partner when he arrived in Paris last month.”
“Australians deserve an explanation from Tony Abbott and if it’s true, Ambassador Brady and his partner deserve an apology,” opposition leader Bill Shorten said in a statement.
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